LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Chap.h^'^^Copyricfht No. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 



THE 



SEVENTIETH INDIANA 



VOLUNTEER INFANTRY 



IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION 



BY 

SAMUEL MERRILL 

w 



INDIANAPOLIS 

THE BOWEN-MERRILL COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 



3504:5 

AUG 16 1900 

StCCN!) COPY. 

L>(r. iveii-J tc 

ORl)E:R DiV.'biON. 



Copyright, 1900 

BY 

The bowen-merrill Company 



74108 






IN MEMORY 

OF THOSE WHO, HAVING 

ENROLLED THEIR NAMES WITH THE FIRST REGIMENT TO 

ANSWER THE CALL OF THE 

PRESIDENT IN EIGHTEEN HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO, 

PLACED THEM BESIDE 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S ON THE RADIANT 

ROLL OF HEROES 

WHO DIED THAT THE NATION 

MIGHT LIVE 



i /■-* 






PREFACE. 



A New England clergyman with a wide experience in 
literary affairs, hearing that the author had undertaken 
the history of the Seventieth Indiana Regiment, wrote to 
a friend: "I am very, very sorry, for do what he may, he 
will please nobody, will displease a good many, will con- 
sume an immense amount of time, and will make neither 
money nor reputation." 

His prophecy in regard to time has proved true, and 
very likely the rest of it will be fulfilled, yet as the work 
was entered upon without thought of any of these things, 
and only in response to the urgent request of the survivors 
of the regiment, it is to be hoped that every member, bear- 
ing in mind the impossibility of producing anything satis- 
factory at this late date, will view the result indulgently, 
and that at least nobody will be offended. 

It will be seen by those who read the story, that while 
the men who composed this organization were the equals 
of any to be found in other regiments, and far superior to 
the average of the men who staid at home, they were only 
human beings; that no effort has been made to hide faults 
or mistakes, and that the aim of the writer has been sim- 
ply to give a truthful record of the life of plain American 
youth, who followed the flag until it floated over every 
spot from which it had been torn down. 

The children of the veterans, who may look in vain for 
an account of the personal exploits of their fathers, must 
lay their disappointment to the modesty of those fathers. 



PREFACE 

Again and again has come the reply to solicitation, "Oh, 
I have nothing interesting to tell; I only did my duty." 
A few whose letters or journals have been preserved have 
kindly placed them in my hands, and the narrative is 
largely formed from these sources. Comments made at 
the time that incidents occurred are far more natural and 
entertaining, often more exact, than any later composition 
can possibly be. 

The following persons have been of great assistance: 

J. C. Bennett J. M. Brown, P. S. Carson, R. W. Cathcart, 
J. E. Cleland, W. H. Cooper, J. M. Eades, W. H. Elvin, G. 
W. Grubbs, F. H. Huron, A. J. Johnson, J. H. Kelly, 
L. H. Kennedy, J. L. Ketcham, W. M. Meredith, W. A. 
Miller, W. R. McCracken, M. G. McLain, D. M. Ransdell, 
A. W. Reagan, S. -B. Robertson, Wm. Sharpe, J. F. Snow, 
J. Stoops, G. C. Thompson, W. W. Wilhite, J. I. Wills, 
J. M. Wills. 

U. H. Farr has been untiring in his efforts to procure 
information, R. M. Smock in attending to necessary cor- 
respondence, and their names should lead all the rest. 

Indianapolis, May 30, 1900. S. M. 



THE HISTORY 



SEVENTIETH INDIANA REGIMENT. 



CHAPTER I. 
GOING, GOING, GONE ! 

The failure of General McClellan to take Richmond dur- 
ing the last days of June, 1862, and the great losses of 
the Union army in the battles near that city, made ap- 
parent the necessity for more soldiers. On July first 
President Lincoln accepted the proposition of the Gover- 
nors of the loyal States to raise more troops, and decided 
to call into the service an additional force of three hun- 
dred thousand men. 

Oliver P. Morton, Governor of Indiana, on the seventh 
issued a proclamation in which occurs the following sen- 
tence: "I therefore call upon every man, whatever may 
be his rank and condition in life, to put aside his business 
and come to the rescue of his country. Upon every man 
individually let me urge the solemn truth, that whatever 
may be his condition or business, he has no duty or busi- 
ness half so important to himself and family as the speedy 
and effectual suppression of the rebellion." 

On the fourteenth recruiting officers were appointed in 
all the congressional districts of the State, with power to 
enlist men for the term of "three years, or during the war," 
By August twelfth ten companies had been raised in Hen- 



2 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

dricks, Johnson, Marion, Morgan and Shelby counties, 
and were encamped on a common west of IndianapoHs, 
where they were mustered into the United States service 
as the Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry by Col. 
J. S. Simonson, U. S. A. 

While many of the men composing this body of troops 
were from Indianapolis, and from the towns and villages 
of the neighboring counties, the majority were from the 
country, farmers and sons of farmers. The current remark 
"that the job of suppressing the rebellion had proved too 
big for the looys, and that it was now time for the men to 
go to their help," conveys a wrong impression, for many 
had not enlisted before because they had not attained the 
required age. It is true, however, that a large number 
who enlisted were men profoundly convinced that all was 
lost, unless they made the sacrifice of leaving their wives, 
their children and their business until the Government 
should be re-established. 

Many incidents in connection with enlistments for this 
regiment throw a light on the heroism of the national 
character. One mother exclaimed, "I could not have felt 
he was my son had he hesitated." Another, "My son, you 
will be faithful. It is a noble duty." A boy, an only child, 
who wished to enlist, asked the recruiting ofificer to see 
his mother and gain her consent. There was an indescrib- 
able radiance on her beautiful face as she replied, "Yes, 
he may go. Ho^v can I refuse to give my son to the 
country when I remember that my Heavenly Father gave 
His only son to save the world?" 

To the fathers and mothers the enhstment of their sons 
was a terribly serious thing, and to the man who was 
leaving wife and children it was inexpressible anguish; but 



GOING, GOING, GONE ! 3 

to the boy, who had been longing for the time when he 
should be old enough or large enough to be acceptable, 
the only distress was the fear that the mustering ofBcer 
would fail to receive him. 

U. H. Farr of Company D, who had not yet seen his 
sixteenth birthday, says: "The fife was playing, the drums 
were beating, and the new soldiers fell into line. When 
I saw among them boys no larger than myself I suddenly 
resolved to see if they would take me, and stepped into the 
ranks with the others. I kept the step till the war was 
over." 

As the recruits came into camp they were supplied with 
Sibley tents, each of which was supposed to accommodate 
twenty men. These conical dwellings, when pitched, were 
about twelve feet high and fifteen feet in diameter at the 
bottom. For a door there was a slit in the side, and for 
the escape of smoke and foul air a hole in the top, over 
which a cap could be fitted to keep out the rain. At night 
the men lay facing the same way, with a fit so perfect, that 
when one restless slumberer turned, all had to turn; a sure 
disturbance of sleep, and an excuse for ill humor and strong 
language. Two wall tents were allotted to the three com- 
missioned officers of each company. The field and staff 
were accommodated in a similar manner. 

Experience is a dear teacher, but efficient. When, three 
or four nights after camp was formed, a heavy rain flooded 
the ground, the men sprang up with a yell, and learned 
without further instruction to put a trench about their 
tents. 

Previous to mustering the regiment into the service the 
recruits were rigidly examined, being stripped by the 
surgeons and scrutinized, as a jockey looks for defects ia 



4 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

a horse before a purchase. The youth who would admit 
that he was under eighteen years of age, or the graybeard 
that he was over forty-five, was dismissed from the ranks 
by Colonel Simonson as unfit for the hardships of war. 

On the morning of the twelfth of August the regiment 
was mustered into the service of the United States, and 
in the evening marched to the arsenal and received Enfield 
rifles. It spent the night on the verandas of the old State 
house. The following morning, August thirteenth, 1862, the 
Seventieth Indiana, under the command of Colonel Benja- 
min Harrison, marched through the streets, crowded by 
friends, to the J. & I. R. R. station. Company E claimed 
the honor of shedding the first blood, when just as the 
engine was about to pull out, Wm. Cooper taught a citizen 
not to utter unpatriotic sentiments while farewells were 
being spoken. While the train was on its way southward 
a huge bull planted himself on the track and disputed its 
passage. His courage was more commendable than his 
prudence. The omen was favorable, for this opposer of 
civilization "made way for liberty and died." 

The thousand men and more who composed the regi- 
mental organization arrived in Louisville in the evening, 
thus reaching the country that had been overrun by the 
enemies of the Government in less than a month from the 
time the first man was enlisted. It was thus the first regi- 
ment from any of the Northern States to enter the region 
where disloyalty prevailed, all the members of which had 
been enlisted after the demand made by President Lincoln, 
July first, 1862. 

During the march through Louisville most of the citi- 
zens looked on in sullen silence, though from one residence 
ladies came out bearing waiters full of cakes and pies, 



GOING, GOING, GONE ! 5 

which they offered to the boys; and negroes could not 
restrain their joyous laughter and cheers. The regiment 
encamped just south of the city, but on the following 
evening was ordered to strike tents in a driving rain and 
enter box cars preparatory to a journey southward. These 
cars had been used to convey cattle, and the author of 
Knickerbocker's History of New York would have de- 
scribed them as fragrantly cushioned for the military 
occupants. 

As John Morgan had captured Gallatin two days before, 
and the train was headed in that direction, there was 
danger of interference on his part with this movement. 
Though familiar with firearms used in hunting, our tyros 
were not accustomed to weapons of war, and had to be 
instructed hastily in the methods of loading their muskets. 
As we jolted along at night through an enemy's country, 
with raw recruits lying on loaded guns, it might be difficult 
to decide whether the danger was greater from within or 
from without. 

The regiment reached Bowling Green on the morning 
of the fifteenth, and encamped at the foot of a hill about 
a half mile from the village. Here it was assigned to a 
Provisional Brigade, under command of Colonel S. D. Bruce, 
and was immediately given to understand that war, for the 
present at least, meant study, watchfulness and work. 



CHAPTER 11. 

CAMP EXPERIENCES 

The companies were located in camp as they were let- 
tered, A upon the right, K upon the left, and to E was at- 
tached the regimental color guard. Reveille was at five 
o'clock; company drill was from five to six; breakfast at six; 
guard mounting from seven to eight; officers' drill was from 
eight till nine; police duty from nine to ten; company drill 
from ten till twelve; dinner at twelve; non-commissioned 
officers' drill was from one till two; battalion drill was from 
two till four; supper at five; dress parade from six to seven; 
roll call at eight; lights out at nine. 

The regiment was supplied with water from a spring 
near the residence of a disloyal man named Elrod. A 
guard was stationed by the fountain to see that "first 
come was first served," and that there was no interference 
with its purity. On the night of the sixteenth the soldiers 
had their first experience of being called out after dark. 
A man, afterwards ascertained to be a young Confederate 
physician, at home on leave of absence, had crept through 
the small cedars that grew near and fired at the sentinel, 
Josiah Deer of Company I, wounding him severely. The 
noise of the firing was instantly followed by the dismal 
sounding of the long roll. Then came the hurrying of 
men to the color line, many half dressed, and a few carry- 
ing their clothes in their arms, having in their haste left 
their guns in their tents. Company K was detached and 
did much scouting through brier bushes and cornfields 
in the vain search for an enemy, concluding with the 



CAMP EXPERIENCES ' 7 

Stationing of twenty men for the night near the point 
where the firing had been heard. 

A few nights after there was a fusillade from the direc- 
tion of the place where the teamsters were encamped, and 
with it the hideous clatter of the drums and the exciting 
cry of "Fall in." An insubordinate from Company E, who 
was gifted in getting himself arrested and in escaping from 
confinement, was at this time under arrest, in charge of 
a guard especially instructed to use watchfulness. At the 
sound of the firing both guard and prisoner flew to their 
quarters, and the latter, as his size entitled him, took his 
place near the head of his company. When the regiment 
was formed in line Colonel Harrison detached a dozen men 
from Company E to attend him to the place where the 
firing was heard. It became evident that some of the 
teamsters had been drinking and were the guilty authors 
of all the excitement, but no one would admit that he had 
fired a gun. Instantly the former guardhouse occupant, 
who had marched in the darkness by the side of his com- 
mander, suggested: "Colonel, if you will put your finger 
in the muzzle of the guns you will find who did the firing." 
The Colonel knew the voice, turned and looked at the 
speaker. He took the advice, but said nothing. What 
could be done with such a brave incorrigible? 

To most of the men the silence of night at home had 
been broken only by "the watch dog's honest bark," or the 
clarion voice of the "bird of dawning;" so the diabolical 
sound of the Idng roll inspired more terror than courage. 
It was amusing to hear the confusion in the tents, men 
searching for their clothes or their arms, tumbling over 
each other in their efforts to put their legs in their trousers, 
agonizingly inquiring, "Where's my shoes, my hat, my 



8 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

accoutrements," as if mother or wife were at hand. It was 
even more ludicrous to see men standing in Hne of battle 
in shirt sleeves, or with white legs, showing their inability 
to find coats or pantaloons. Some afterwards averred that 
their hair would not let their hats stay on their heads, and 
that the last dying words spoken through chattering teeth 
were, "Tell her I died at the post of duty." The statement 
was made that after one of the night scares several men 
were found lying in a hole, and that they emerged only 
when assured there had been a false alarm. The time came 
when no man thought of undressing at night. 

As an illustration of what experience and discipline did 
for these men, the words of an of^cer of the Seventieth, 
writing from Georgia two years later, may here be quoted: 
"I could not sleep, and was standing at midnight on the 
breastworks. Suddenly there was a blaze of light on the 
picket line, and a volley fired a few yards in front. In- 
stantly, without a word or tap of drum, the defenses bristled 
from end to end with glittering bayonets." 

The road to perfection, however, was a long one and 
hard to travel. Discipline is hateful to the young soldier, 
but it is his best friend. It wakes him up. It straightens 
and strengthens him. It makes him supple. It gives him 
patience, and endurance, and vigilance. It almost gives 
him courage. At the least, it is a good backing, for it sets 
him in control over all his forces. 

At the beginning, ignorance prevailed among officers 
as well as among men. Stories were rife of olificers falling 
flat as they marched backward in front of their companies, 
of their helplessly rushing men into obstacles, of their ex- 
pecting wheeling to be done when they gave the order 
"swing around like a barn door," of their giving command 



CAMP EXPERIENCES 9 

exactly as laid down in the tactics, that is, without omitting 
"to the right or left as the case may be," of their command- 
ing "Arms eport," of orders as impossible of execution as 
going east and west at the same time. However, the men 
in line had quite as much difficulty in executing properly 
given orders as those not according to Hardee. Ignorance 
gradually gave way to intelligent command and proper 
execution. 

Reveille called everybody to business at the first blush 
of dawn ; and from then till darkness forbade further work, 
there seemed to be continuous drilling, excepting during 
the hours devoted to cooking and eating. The duties of 
dress parade, guard-mounting, and inspection were easily 
learned, and in time the perplexities of company and bat- 
talion drill were mastered, but by far the most difficult 
thing tO' acquire was obedience to authority; especially 
when orders seemed to be unreasonable, or were given in 
an imperious manner by the lately commissioned, who 
had been boon companions at home. Some of the of- 
ficers felt sincere compunction when obliged to punish 
refractory subordinates, that could see no- fault, nor even im- 
propriety in disobedience. One such officer writes to his wife : 
"The hardest thing about this life, and a thing that often 
makes me feel like resigning, is the necessity of punishing 
boys, fine fellows in many respects, who take to disobedi- 
ence as a duck does to water. One cannot keep from 
feeling that the parents, not the sons, should be punished 
for having allowed their homes to be little nurseries of 
anarchy." 

The resentment of the citizen soldier to the exercise of 
authority on the part of his superiors, and his feeling of 
equality, whatever might be the difference of rank, may 



10 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

be illustrated by an incident which throws light also on the 
duties and privileges of all concerned, in the daily recurring 
labor of guard-mounting. The genial Adjutant Mitchell 
says: "The boys had been torturing me by talking, laugh- 
ing, etc., for a long time, so I determined to put a stop to 
it. To carry out this design, I made a little speech one 
morning, informing them that the next one transgressing 
military rules while on duty would be punished. I had 
barely finished when a man turned sidewise in the ranks, 
nudged his comrade with his elbow, and began talking. 
I immediately ordered that gentleman two paces in front, 
and put him through the manual of arms for two minutes. 
After I retired that night I heard a noise at the stable, and 
hastily rushed out, extricated my horse from an entangle- 
ment, and started back to my tent. I had not gone far 
when I heard the stern command 'Halt!' and 'who comes 
there?' With the reply, 'A friend without the counter- 
sign,' I suddenly recollected that I had forgotten in my 
haste to get the countersign. Here I was outside the lines, 
confronted by the man whom I had punished in the morn- 
ing. That man had the authority on his side, and ordered, 
'Mark time!' I began to mark time, but told the guard 
to call for the Sergeant, so I could get the countersign and 
enter; but he commanded, 'Mark time faster!' I increased 
my speed. The guard ordered 'Double quick!' That was 
too much. I stopped and said: Til mark time no longer.' 
To this came the response, 'If you don't mark time I'll 
shoot you.' Here was a moment of awful suspense. Would 
he shoot or not? If I double-quick, he will tell the com- 
mand that the Adjutant is the biggest coward in the army. 
He will say he scared me into marking time till I w^ore 
myself out. So I said, 'Just shoot.' I heard his gun-trig- 



CAMP EXPERIENCES II 

ger click, and I wondered whether he would shoot. In 
a moment the guard lowered his gun, said he knew me to 
be the Adjutant, and on second thought beheved he would 
not shoot." 

The same officer had great difficulty in teaching a soldier 
of German birth the language to be used when he was 
approached at night. About two in the morning the 
Adjutant had occasion to cross the picket line on which 
this man was stationed. Of course "Halt!" which is both 
German and English, rang out, but no "who comes there ?" 
was called. The officer waited a few moments, then 
started forward, but was abruptly stopped with, "Halt, I 
zay!" The night was cold, so after a few minutes of hesi- 
tation and shivering, another advance was made, to cease 
instantly with a shudder, at the click of the rifle-trigger, 
and the angry cry of the sentinel, "Halt, I zay, or I'll do 
you somedings." Fortunately the Sergeant of the guard 
chanced to be nearby, and put a stop to what might have 
been a serious affair. 

What added immensely to disciplinary difficulties was 
the fact that letters were constantly received from disloyal 
men in the North, encouraging dissatisfaction, and advis- 
ing desertion. As a result of this treasonable advice, much 
unhappiness prevailed, and several homesick youths were 
marked on the rolls for a time as absent without leave. In 
response to a letter from his father in regard to deserting, 
J. M. Brown of Company D, whose faithfulness has been 
rewarded in another world, writes: "You need not be 
uneasy about my deserting. If I don't get out of the 
army until I desert it, I will stay in the army all my life." 

Attendance on the Sunday service was good, and as 
there were many excellent musicians in the regiment. Com- 



12 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

pany I abounding in them, the singing was always inspiring. 
The exercises were closed on the first Sunday by rather 
a strange doxology, in the form of three cheers, caused 
by the disposition of the soldiers, whenever anything 
pleased them, to express their pleasure by a yell. 

At dress parade the Chaplain, Rev. A. C. Allen, led in 
prayer, the men removing their hats and standing in rever- 
ential attitude. Among them was one whose habits of 
thought had been formed under German skies, and by 
atheistic influences. He asserted that he would do vio- 
lence to his conscience if he uncovered his head in recog- 
nition of a Being who did not exist. His repugnance to 
expressions of reverence, or considerations of courtesy, 
ascribed by his comrades not so much to conscientiousness 
as to cantankerousness, was the cause of both amusement 
and vexation to the authorities, but in time a place was 
found for him in another branch of the service, where his 
tender conscience was less likely to be wounded. 

The Chaplain was a favorite with his little church mili- 
tant. His venerable form, his head crowned wath snow- 
white locks, his benignant countenance, impressed his 
youthful flock when he passed by, with the feeling that a 
benediction had been pronounced. At his kindly approach 
the flask disappeared, the pack of cards dropped out of 
sight, and the half-uttered oath died unspoken. 

In the mess to which he belonged were three mirth- 
loving young officers, on whose heads the bump of rever- 
ence was not fully developed. Learning that he had never 
tasted intoxicating liquors, they devised a plan by which 
they could ascertain whether he had a natural liking for 
the article so largely manufactured in Kentucky. He cer- 
tainly had a natural and a cultivated fondness for greens, 



CAMP EXPERIENCES 13 

SO these mischievous youngsters emptied the vinegar cruet 
and filled it with Robinson county whisky. When dinner 
was ready, the Chaplain poured on a plentiful supply of 
the supposed vinegar. After taking a mouthful or two he 
leaned back, wiped his chin, cleared his throat, and burst 
forth with : "It's astonishing what a difference a few de- 
grees in latitude make in vegetation. I have been eating 
greens all my life, but never have I tasted such a delicious 
dish as this." 

A ration or daily allowance of food for each man was 
composed of twelve ounces of bacon, or one pound four 
ounces of beef, one pound six ounces of soft bread or 
flour, or one pound of hard bread; and to every one hun- 
dred men were issued fifteen pounds of beans, eight pounds 
of cofifee, fifteen pounds of sugar, four quarts of vinegar, 
one pound four ounces of candles, four pounds of soap, 
and three pounds twelve ounces of salt. Rice, potatoes, 
meal and molasses were seldom issued, but desiccated, 
compressed, mixed vegetables were sometimes substi- 
tuted. 

When bread gave out the preparation of food from 
flour was perplexing. The customary method was to make 
the flour into a batter with water, and boil it in grease, as 
the boys had seen their mothers cook doughnuts. These 
slapjacks came dripping from the unctuous fluid, and 
though not garnished with honey or treacle, were vo- 
raciously and imprudently devoured by the self-satisfied 
cooks. When frying was preferred to boiling, the culinary 
artists were skilful in throwing the cakes from the frying 
pans high in the air, turning them in the descent. 

The hardtack or sea-biscuit, though by all odds the most 
wholesome article of food the soldier received, was not 



14 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

always appreciated. "A good-natured lad," to quote from 
an officer's letter, "who is toasting- a cracker, exclaims, 
'Gosh, boys, this here's more'n splendid,' while another 
who has been pampered at home retorts, 'By jingo, I 
could cut a nice chunk from a hickory log and make a 
decenter breakfast of it.' " J. M. Brown writes to his sis- 
ter: ''I am getting so I can wash my shirts as well as 
any woman. I'll bet I can beat you." Again: "I tell you 
what, soldiering is good to make a man be punctual, and 
not be so particular about his eating." 

In time, negroes who had escaped from their masters, 
or who had been deserted by them, attached themselves to 
the camp. Although most of these vagrants had never 
seen any instrument but a hoe or an ax, it was taken for 
granted that they would make excellent cooks, so the 
culinary department of the regiment was largely placed in 
their hands. The game of hide and seek was often played 
in camp by slaves and pursuing masters, but as the negro 
had the sympathy of the soldiers in the play, a case in 
which the master won was never recorded. The ignorance 
and the stupidity of many of the contrabands, as the es- 
caped slaves were then called, were almost past belief. One 
day a negro walked into camp with a sack across his 
shoulders, the jug in one end of which was balanced by 
a stone in the other end. 

While the men were at their meals there was much de- 
bate on subjects of current interest, as why it was that 
boiling made a shirt shrink till it became a halter around 
the owner's neck, while the same process stretched socks 
till holes in the heels were found on the calves of the wear- 
er's legs? Why a prohibitory liquor law should be ex- 



CAMP EXPERIENCES ^5 

clusively for the benefit of the privates? Why the surgeons 
prescribed Dover's Powders for rheumatism, measles, ty- 
phoid fever, mumps and itch? No one was able to tell 
why, in the most harrowing circumstances, it was always 
appropriate and laughable for one fellow to yell "Grab a 
root," and another a quarter of a mile away to howl m 
response, "Here's your mule." 

Now and then the men were amused, possibly instructed, 
if an exalted opinion of their own attainments permitted, 
by watching the evolutions of other troops. "A critter 
company," as people in the neighborhood called the cav- 
alry, made a charge on the common in front of the regi- 
ment. When a trooper ran over a cow and rolled in the 
dust with the two animals the men of the Seventieth were 
delighted to find themselves not the only blunderers. 

It was naturally hard for Kentucky Union officers to 
keep from grieving for the devastation that necessarily 
swept over their State, in having it made the seat of war. 
The commander of the post, Colonel S. D. Bruce, a very 
pleasant gentleman, was a Kentuckian, as one might 
gather from his instructions to a Captain who had charge 
of a scouting expedition: "Tell your men to beware of 
entering orchards, or cornfields." "Any other instructions, 
Sir?" "No! Well, yes. You may also tell them to be 
on the alert for Morgan." We cannot wonder at the bit- 
ter words in a letter of the officer so instructed: "It is 
more important to keep the men from surprising a corn- 
field, or a turnip patch, than to keep Morgan from sur- 
prising the men. And this, too, while poor fellows from 
want of fresh food are sickening daily unto death." 

The hot days and cold nights of September, the poor 



l6 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

water, the half-cooked beans, the pancakes soaked with 
grease, the want of variety, resulted in numerous cases of 
sickness. At first the men from the farms suffered most, 
as they had been unaccustomed to irregularities in sleep 
and had not been exposed to contagious diseases, such as 
the measles, mumps, and whooping cough, but it was not 
long until almost every one paid the penalty to the radical 
changes in the method of living. 

In spite of all precautions many went to the comfortless 
hospital, where millions of flies and insects more disgusting 
rioted, and there remained till their comrades bore them 
out for burial. Company after company formed with re- 
versed arms and followed the wailing fife and muffled drum, 
as the wild melody of Pleyel's Hymn, or other equally sol- 
emn tune, quivered on the air. When the order came, no 
more funeral dirges, no more volleys over the sleeping 
dust, because of the depressing effect on those who 
tremblingly trod the border line of life and death, all began 
to learn the stern nature of war. No place for the delicate 
attentions of affection, no place for tokens of regard for the 
departed, no place for sighs, no place for tears. "Let the 
dead bury their dead." 

In a letter an officer says: "My company seems to be 
fated. After I had come to the conclusion that so many 
had died, surely no more would be taken, four died in less 
than a week. Strange that life in the open air, with really 
but little exposure — for we have not seen hard service — 
should result so unfortunately. I am weary of being Cap- 
tain. It is so terrible to see men die whom one has per- 
suaded from their homes." 

To add to the depression that spread through the regi- 



CAMP EXPERIENCES 17 

ment, the indefatigable Morgan captured Wilder's com- 
mand, stationed at Mumfordsville, tore up the railroad 
tracks, and burned the bridges, severing all connection with 
the North, so that the men were obliged to live for six 
weeks without letters from home, hitherto their daily 
solace. 



CHAPTER III. 

IN FRONT: BUELL AND BRAGG IN THE REAR 

Scarcely had the men an excuse for complaining of the 
monotonous routine of drilling and picket, when the dis- 
agreeable, vexatious and inglorious work of guarding 
trains and chasing the ubiquitous Morgan was assigned 
to them; duties quite as dangerous as contending in open 
field with the enemy. 

To use the well-chosen language of Miss Catharine Mer- 
rill, the author of "The Soldier of Indiana :" 

"Morgan was at home everywhere. He entered at night 
the house of a friend within the Federal lines, slept in the best 
bed, and departed with only a sly recognition. He walked on 
the streets of a town which was full of Federal soldiers, chaf- 
fered with the tradespeople, gave them a wink, and re- 
ceived from them the result of their observations as to 
the numbers or movements of the enemy. He went into 
a Federal telegraph of^ce, sent a dispatch to a friend, or 
an enemy, in the North, and walked off unsuspected, or 
with threats imposed silence until his safety was secured. 
He waylaid a train, destroyed the cars and took the pas- 
sengers prisoners. But his most common performance 
was a sudden swoop on Federal pickets." 

His, however, was the "vaulting ambition which o'er- 
leaps itself." The conspirators before the rebellion had 
promised their deluded followers to carry the war into 
the Northern States, saying that the havoc would not be 
in the South, and they put forth frantic efforts to accom- 
plish their purpose, but every attempt was baffled, Gen- 

18 



IN FRONT: BUELL AND BRAGG IN THE REAR 19 

eral Morgan rushing into the penitentiary and General 
Lee into the stunning defeat at Gettysburg. 'Toor Mor- 
gan," as his admirers speak of him on account of his fate, 
whose dehght had been to surprise and to kill, escaped 
from confinement to find that "even-handed justice com- 
mends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice to our own 
lips." 

How could foot soldiers in a region entirely new to 
them be expected to catch this bold but wily cavalryman, 
to whom every road and lane, every stream and hill was 
familiar? The authorities at Washington did not expect 
anything of the kind, but the enthusiastic lads, whO' now 
made their headquarters at Bowling Green, longed to do 
the unexpected, — one might say to accomplish the im- 
possible. They were ordered to protect the stores of pro- 
visions and ammunition, to guard the bridges and that 
part of the railroad placed in their charge, and this they 
did most faithfully, but the desire to put a stop to the 
career of the audacious guerrilla was irrepressible. 

On August twenty-first thirty men under command of 
Lieutenant Matlock were detailed to guard a train to 
Franklin, about twenty miles south of Bowling Green. 
August twenty-sixth Companies A, B, C, D, E, and F 
went down the railroad on the cars in search of an enemy, 
but returned in the evening after a bootless chase. Sep- 
tember second one of the pickets was shot, and on the 
following day a foraging party was attacked. September 
third six companies mounted the train in pursuit of Mor- 
gan, who was reported to be in Franklin. Sixteen strag- 
glers were captured by the cavalry that had accompanied 
the expedition, but the valuable part of Morgan's com- 
mand was far on its mischievous way. September elev- 



20 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

enth, just at dark, Companies B and I boarded a train for 
Russellville, a town on the Tennessee border, secession to 
the core. It was considered desirable that the Union 
cavalry regiment stationed at that place should fall back 
with whatever stores were in its possession, and as an 
attack was expected, the infantry would be useful in pro- 
tecting the wagons. On the following day, while waiting 
for the wagons to be loaded, the men strolled into the 
neighborhood of the female academy, attracted as steel 
to the loadstone. Young men are always interested in 
woman's education. They were saluted with cheers for 
Jefif Davis. 

At night the column moved northward, a squadron in 
front, the infantry and wagons in the center, and the rest 
of the cavalry in the rear. As the darkness was intense, 
there was much stumbHng over rocks and stumps. On 
the following day the march through the heat and dust 
was exhausting, and when Bowling Green was reached in 
the evening, the forty miles having been done in twenty 
hours, the men declared each foot weighed a ton. A day 
or two later an officer of Buell's army remarked: "That 
new regiment, so finely dressed, will soon play out on a 
long march." Whereupon Colonel Bruce spoke up with, 
"Don't you fool yourself! That regiment is hell on a 
march. It outmarched a cavalry regiment the other day." 
This toilsome journey was the last J. W. Howard of Com- 
pany I, was called upon to make, for he was drowned in 
Barren river on September fourteenth. 

Just at this time Buell's command made its appear- 
ance in its great race with Bragg northv/ard. The Sev- 
entieth regiment had no language strong enough to ex- 
press its delight at meeting old friends, and its admiration 



IN FRONT: BUELL AND BRAGG IN THE REAR 21 

for the noble veterans composing the retreating army. The 
men enjoyed chaffing their acquaintances of Buell's troops, 
for being outgeneraled by Bragg, but received the retort 
that the good-for-nothing bridge protectors had failed to 
keep the road from being torn up, so Buell's whole force 
had to go back to Louisville to get a supply of clothing 
for the winter. No attention was paid to the claim of the 
regiment that no portion of the road it was set to watch 
had been destroyed. 

These veteran friends slipped in at night and carried off 
the Seventieth's cooking utensils and everything else they 
could lay their hands on, while they consumed all the 
fresh vegetables far and near, so the only sauce the un- 
happy bridge guards had for their fritters during the re- 
maining weeks of their stay in Bowling Green was an 
occasional execration of the retreating heroes who knew 
so well how to take care of themselves. John E. Cleland of 
Company I writes dolefully: ''Our camp kettle has shrunk 
into a tin cup and our skillet into a sharp stick." How- 
ever, as the regiment had to do provost duty in town dur- 
ing the few days the army was passing, there was some 
satisfaction in filling the filthy jail with pilfering stragglers. 

At night the rumbling of the wagons of the Confederate 
army was heard by our men on the outposts. William 
Sharpe of Company C writes: "While on picket, I was 
told that there was a large peach orchard about a mile 
away, close by the road on which the rebels were march- 
ing. Three of us struck out for this orchard, but as we 
entered the lower part we spied some men in gray at the 
upper end. I heard them cock their guns, and called out, 
'Don't shoot! All we are after is a good bite of peaches.' 
'That's what we want,' they yelled back, 'and if you won't 



22 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

bother us we won't bother you.' The truce held good and 
we reached the picket post with haversacks full of ripe 
peaches." 

Among the myriad living creatures Buell's legions left 
in exchange for the regiment's valuables were several black 
men. One of these, a mulatto called Alabam, after the 
State honored as his birthplace, is worthy of notice on 
account of the size of his feet, which bulged out as far 
behind his legs as they protruded in front. As cold weather 
approached Quartermaster Allison, after much search, 
found a pair of number fourteen shoes, just long enough, 
but as Alabam's feet were two story affairs, much of the 
upper leather had to be slit and some of it removed. Ala- 
bam acted as laundryman for Colonel Burgess, and for 
reasons every soldier will understand, boiled the clothes all 
night. One evening, for the joke of the thing, the Colonel 
gave him some soiled paper collars, which Alabam put into 
the camp kettle to receive the same treatment as the shirts. 
In the morning the negro rushed to the Colonel's tent in 
alarm, exclaiming, "O Colonel, dem dar collahs done 
biled all to pieces, and de graybacks is a swimmin' 'roun' on 
de bilen water." 

This same contraband, to quote Colonel Harrison's 
words, "improvised a banjo from the rim of a cheese-box 
and an old parchment. The banjo had only one string, and 
his song only four words, but the picking and the song 
had the longevity if not the melody of the brook. Hired 
by some mischievous fellows, the musician would seat him- 
self by my tent, and begin a serenade more trying to the 
nerves and more hostile to sleep than bursting shells." 

"Purty little Rhody gal, Purty little Rhody gal," going 
on forever, keeping step to the twang of a banjo string, 



IN FRONT: BUELL AND BRAGG IN THE REAR 



^o 



brought the sleeping warrior to his tent door, uttering 
words instructive to the howling musician and highly en- 
tertaining to the hidden employers. 

On September seventeenth the regiment was ordered to 
leave the position hitherto occupied and encamp on a slope 
north and near the foot of College Hill. As at Louis- 
ville, striking tents was done in a driving rain, and night 
came on while work was still unfinished. The new camp, 
though better for defense, was a mile away from the spring, 
and water had to be carried in casks. There were few 
springs or wells near the picket posts, so the men on duty 
quenched their thirst by taking lighted candles and de- 
scending sink-holes, in some places more than a hundred 
feet deep, in order to find running water. Sunday after- 
noon, September twenty-first, the church members of the 
regiment assembled in front of the Colonel's tent and the 
Chaplain administered the sacrament. 

J. M. Wills of Company C writes: "On September 
twenty-eighth, Captain Ragan and company were ordered 
to escort fifty paroled prisoners by rail (hog train) to 
Franklin, and turn them loose. While there we loaded 
one car partially with cured meats. Where they came 
from was always a mystery to me. I and Charles Dinwid- 
dle of my mess, looked on these smoked hams with long- 
ing, so I took all my clothing out of my knapsack except 
a pair of drawers and gave it to Dinwiddle. I selected the 
best-looking ham, wrapped it in the drawers, and put it in 
my knapsack. On our return trip the boys thoughtlessly 
began firing at trees along the road. This scared the 
videttes on outpost duty, so they and the infantry, too, 
fell back. It so happened I did no shooting on that trip, 
but while sitting by the door of the car with the muzzle of 



24 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

my gun hanging out, the minie ball slid out. Captain 
Ragan tried to stop the shooting, but the noise of the 
train drowned his voice, and none heard him except those 
that were in his car. When we alighted from the train at 
Bowling Green he ordered us to form in line and open 
ranks. I thought he was going to inspect knapsacks, and 
if he found the ham it meant a guard-house sentence. To 
my delight it was only an inspection of guns, and though 
the ball in my rifle was out, the cap was on the tube. The 
Colonel made a big growl about the shooting, but the 
only punishment he inflicted was a reprimand to the Ser- 
geants. The ham did not belie its looks in the least; 
it was as sweet as I ever ate in my life." 

At nine o'clock A. M., September thirtieth, five hun- 
dred men of the Seventieth Indiana and about one hun- 
dred from the Eighth Kentucky cavalry and from Com- 
pany K, Sixtieth Indiana, all under the command of Col- 
onel Harrison, took stock cars for Russellville, where 
report said a Confederate regiment was being recruited. As 
the train approached Auburn it was found that the enemy 
had burned the bridge over Black Lick, but the enthusiastic 
work of the men under the intelligent supervision of Cap- 
tain Fisher, an old railroad contractor, ably assisted by 
Captain Carson, made an entire change in the condition 
of affairs. The woods furnished heavy timbers for piers 
and stringers to span the forty feet of space where fire had 
wrought destruction. This material was cut, carried and 
placed in position by the men. Crossties and spikes were 
picked up, crooked iron rails were straightened, and in 
less than three hours the ravine was passable. 

While the bridge was building, small detachments were 
sent out in different directions and several prisoners were 



IN FRONT: BUELL AND BRAGG IN THE REAR 25 

brought in. Two companies surrounded the village and 
cut off communication with Russellville. An officer was 
ordered to take his company and search the house of Cap- 
tain Wood of the Confederate army, collect axes, and 
capture any enemies lurking thereabouts. The dwelling 
was large and full of enemies, though all were females, 
the Captain being blessed with ten unmarried daughters. 
The searchers were not be envied, followed as they were 
from parlor to bedroom, from cellar to garret by beautiful 
anathematizing damsels. 

Auburn was a water station, but the tank had been 
emptied, so the soldiers had to carry water from the creek 
to the engine. Lieutenant Hardenbrook, in command of 
fifty men, was left to protect the bridge. 

When the train had approached within two or three 
miles of Russellville, a negro, hearing the rumbling of the 
cars, left his plow, mounted his horse and came galloping 
to the track. He reported that there were three hundred 
cavalry encamped in the edge of the town. A mile farther 
on, Companies G, I, and K, under command of Major 
Vance, left the cars, and guided by the negro marched 
southeastward, much of the way at a double-quick, around 
the east side of the town, in order to intercept any troops 
attempting to escape. 

The train then advanced about a mile, when the remain- 
ing companies, led by Colonel Harrison, moved in line of 
battle directly southward toward the camp, Company A, 
under command of Captain Scott, deploying as skirmish- 
ers. The enemy was taken by surprise. The men were 
lying asleep, or sitting in groups about the ground. They 
fired a few shots, then rushed for their horses, which were 
tied to trees, fences and stakes, and were without saddles 



26 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

and bridles, some of the men pulling frantically at the halter 
straps, while others jumped upon their animals first and cut 
the fastenings with their sabres afterward. Those not suc- 
cessful in freeing their horses, fled on foot, aided in their 
flight by a volley from the approaching skirmishers. The 
mounted were more unfortunate than those who escaped 
without their horses, for the latter could hide in the houses 
of friends, while the former attempted to save themselves 
by dashing through the town. 

The three detached companies, when they had moved 
as far south as necessary, turned to the right, then, sepa- 
rating, marched on parallel streets toward the village; 
Company K on the road forming the extreme southern 
limit of the town. All the north and south streets ter- 
minated in this road, which was bounded by a high fence, 
and from which no street emerged southward except one 
several blocks to the west. The cavalrymen who ran the 
gauntlet and escaped the crossfire of Companies G and I 
turned into this road just in front of Company K, and 
never reached the opening to the south. 

The Confederate camp was in a beautiful grove, and the 
ground was strewn with saddles, bridles, blankets, quilts, 
straw bedding, and dry-goods boxes, the latter filled with 
bread, butter, fried chicken, roast beef, cakes and pies, 
furnished by the disloyal citizens of the town and sur- 
rounding country. Before sunset the regiment was as- 
sembled in the center of the town, pickets thrown out, and 
houses searched, where negroes reported concealed fugi- 
tives. 

W. A. Miller of Company B tells with great vividness 
his experience in hunting for a prisoner. He was ordered 
just at dusk to enter a warehouse cellar and was by no 



IN FRONT: BUELL AND BRAGG IN THE REAR 2/ 

means enthusiastic, as, with back to what little light there 
was, he blindly groped his way among boxes and hogs- 
heads, his hair fairly standing on end. Suddenly, as his 
hand fell on the object of his search, he was startled by a 
loud laugh, and the exclamation, "Damn you! I could a 
blowed a hole through you just as easy." Charging on a 
battery where comrade is in touch with comrade, is not the 
only place where courage of a high type is revealed. 

Shortly after nightfall the troops started on their return 
to Bowling Green, and on the following day attended the 
funeral of Howard Hudnut of Company A, who fell at 
Russellville. The battalion marched in slow time at pla- 
toon front, keeping step to the mufifled drum, non-com- 
missioned officers in command, line officers in rear of their 
companies and staff officers in rear of the regiment. 

Bowling Green, Kentucky, October i, 1862. 
Colonel S. D. Bruce, Commanding Provisional Brigade: 

Sir — It becomes my duty to submit to you the following 
report of the expedition to Russellville, undertaken by your 
orders on the thirtieth ultimo. 

The forces under my command consisted of my own regi- 
ment, reduced by double details for camp guard and picket 

duty, to five hundred men. Company , Eighth Kentucky 

Cavalry, Captain Morrow (on foot), and Company K, Sixtieth 
Indiana, Captain Givens, making together about six hun- 
dred men. Having loaded the troops upon and inside of 
boxcars, we proceeded cautiously down the road, expecting 
to find it obstructed. As we approached Auburn Station, 
we were hailed by one of the citizens, and informed that the 
railroad bridge over Black Lick had been burned the night 
previous by a party of guerrillas. Upon examination I found 
that a new bridge, some forty feet in length, would have to 
be constructed, or the expedition abandoned. Finding upon 
consultation with those familiar with such work that the con- 



28 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

struction, in the time required, of a new bridge, capable of 
passing the train, was not impracticable, I at once deter- 
mined to accomplish the work, and having sent out two 
companies to encircle the village and prevent information 
being sent to Russellville of our approach, I detailed large 
working parties, and sent out squads to collect axes and 
other tools. Captain Fisher of Company I, being an old 
railroad builder, was designated by me to superintend the 
work, and right well did he justify the choice. In less than 
three hours he had felled the trees, put them in their place, 
and laid the rail upon the superstructure^ so that the train 
passed safely over. I cannot too highly commend the skill 
and industry of Captain Fisher in so rapidly accomplishing 
this work, without which the expedition must have been a 
failure. Captain Carson of Company G also rendered valu- 
able assistance in the work. 

While waiting the completion of the bridge, I procured a 
diagram of the approaches to Russellville, after a close ex- 
amination of which a plan of attack was determined upon 
in a council of the field officers of my regiment, together 
with Captains Givens and Morrow. Having left a guard of 
fifty men, under Lieutenant Hardenbrook of Company H, to 
protect the bridge until our return, we started on toward 
Russellville. When within about two miles of the place, I 
saw a negro riding furiously toward us along the side of the 
track and immediately ordered the train stopped to get what 
information I could of the situation and forces of the enemy. 
I learned from him the exact location of the rebel encamp- 
ment, but could not so definitely learn their number. I here 
threw oflf Companies G, Captain Carson; I, Captain Fisher; 
K, Captain Merrill, and Company K, Sixtieth Indiana, Cap- 
tain Givens, under the command of Major Vance, for the 
purpose of entering the town from the south, while we should 
attack the rebels from the north of their encampment. I 
then ran on to within a mile of the town, where I threw off 
the residue of my troops, and turning of¥ to the right of the 
railroad, through a cornfield, I deployed Company A, Cap- 



IN FRONT: BUELL AND BRAGG IN THE REAR 29 

tain Scott, as skirmishers, and advanced cautiously toward 
the rebel camp. Coming into an open field, the enemy were 
discovered in their camp, when I ordered the skirmishers 
to advance and open fire, which they did in fine style, their 
fire being but feebly returned by the enemy. I brought the 
battalion forward, close upon the skirmishers, but the enemy 
retreated so rapidly that we could not come up with them so 
as to open fire. Seeing from the dust that a portion of them 
were fleeing along the road leading north on the west side 
of their encampment, I detached Company H, Captain Cun- 
ning, to cut ofi their retreat, which was effected in good order, 
a few shots being fired with good effect. Having marched 
through the rebel camp, we found the enemy had fled in every 
direction and in the utmost confusion, through the cornfields 
and into the town, where they were hidden in the houses and 
ttables. Not having heard from Major Vance's party and 
desiring to know whether the town itself was held by the 
enemy, I marched my command into the town and occupied 
the public square, where I was joined by Major Vance, of 
whom I have the following particulars of the part taken by 
his command in the fight: 

After leaving the cars they made a considerable detour 
over a very rough and thickly wooded country in order to 
come into the rear of the town and cut off the retreat of the 
enemy. As they approached the streets leading to the Nash- 
ville and Springfield road they caught sight of the fleeing 
rebels and were brought forward by the Major on the double 
quick, each company taking a separate street, all debouching 
into that upon which the rebels were retreating. As the 
broken squads of rebel horsemen passed the posts of the re- 
spective companies they delivered their fire with great steadi- 
ness and precision, killing and wounding a large number. 
After the detachments had been united in the town, I im- 
mediately detailed Companies C and E and sent Lieutenant 
S. L. Crandall of the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry, who was 
familiar with the country, to post them as pickets, and detailed 
squads to search certain houses in which the rebels were re- 



30 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ported by the negroes to have taken refuge. I succeeded 
in capturing ten prisoners, which number would have been 
largely increased^ but, night coming on, further search be- 
came impracticable. After loading the horses and other prop- 
erty captured from the enemy on the cars, we returned to 
Bowling Green. 

We captured and brought with us forty-two good horses, 
some fifty shotguns and muskets and sixty saddles, besides 
a large number of articles, an inventory of which has been 
furnished the post quartermaster. 

From my own observation and from information received 
from other sources I estimate the losses of the enemy at 
thirty-five killed and wounded and ten prisoners. 

We lost one man killed — Howard Hudnut of Company A, 
Seventieth Indiana. He received a shot in the breast, which 
was instantly fatal; and fell with his face toward the enemy. 

Captain Scott and Lieutenant Ohr of Company A led the 
skirmishers forward with great bravery and deserve especial 
mention. The company manifested great spirit and steadi- 
ness. 

Captain Carson, Company G, Captain Fisher, Company I, 
and Captain Merrill, Company K, Seventieth Indiana, and 
Captain Givens, Company K, Sixtieth Indiana, acting under 
Major Vance, and the officers and men under their command, 
behaved gallantly and executed their part of the plan of at- 
tack with great success. Major Vance deserves great credit 
for the skill and promptness with which he brought his de- 
tachment forward and engaged the enemy. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Burgess and Adjutant Jim L. Mitchell 
co-operated efficiently with me in maneuvering my command 
and were always at the post of duty. Captain Morrow of the 
Eighth Kentucky cavalry, having been recently encamped 
on the very spot occupied by the enemy, was of great service 
to me in directing the line of march and determining 
the plan of attack. His company was on the left of my line 
and succeeded in getting a few shots as the enemy retreated. 

The forces of the enemy consisted of three companies of 



IN FRONT: BUELL AND BRAGG IN THE REAR 3T 

Dortch's regiment and an independent company under Cap- 
tain Page, amounting altogether to three hundred and fifty 
men. Dortch's command had the night before burned the 
bridge which we rebuilt. We took the enemy completely 
by surprise, the fire of our skirmishers being the first intima- 
tion they had of our approach. 

I should not omit to mention that Lieut. J. W. Wallace, 
A. A. A. G., formerly of the Sixteenth Kentucky, and Lieut. 
J. Andy Wallace, formerly of Company A, Seventieth Indiana, 
of your staff, and Captain Fee, post quartermaster, who ac- 
companied the expedition as volunteers, displayed great gal- 
lantry, advancing in the line of my skirmishers. My entire 
command, officers and men, manifested the greatest eagerness 
to engage in the fight, and had the enemy stood more reso- 
lutely to give us battle, would, I doubt not, have displayed 
a gallantry and bravery in the fight commensurate with their 
eagerness to engage in it. 

Respectfully submitted, 

BENJAMIN HARRISON, 
Colonel Seventieth Indiana Regiment. 

Bowling Green, Kentucky, October i, 1862. 
General— Rebels burnt bridge at Black Lick, near Auburn, 
Monday night. I sent Seventieth Indiana and part of the 
Eighth Kentucky down, rebuilt the bridge, surprised the 
enemy at Russellville and routed them completely, killing and 
wounding fifty, taking fifteen prisoners and forty horses and 

saddles. 

No enemy in force near here ; small parties stealing horses 

through the country. 

I intend to whip them all out. T^oTTr-v 

S. U, BKUUH, 
Colonel Commanding. 

General J. T. Boyle. 



CHAPTER IV. 
TRYING "TO WHIP THEM ALL OUT" 

The day at Russellville had not been quite long enough, 
so at two o'clock A. M., October second, the regiment 
was called out and set off at four to visit that town again. 
Companies H and K picketed the place, while the other 
companies loaded the cars with medical stores, shoes, and 
whatever else could be of use to the army, and a thing or 
two, the usefulness of which, under the circumstances, was 
doubtful. Company E brought away a little printing out- 
fit, a hand press, type, chases, and other belongings. While 
at Bowling Green Wm. Bodenhamer and other typos of 
the company published a diminutive paper, devoted mostly 
to criticism of commissioned officers. 

On the return trip to Bowling Green one of the flat cars 
full of soldiers left the rails and went thumping over the 
crossties, tumbling the occupants about in a very disagree- 
able manner. The only method of communication with 
the engineer was through his ears, and as those seemed 
to be uncommonly dull there was something of a fusillade 
before his attention could be attracted. 

On October third J. C. Bennett of Company B makes 
the following important record: "Made some apple 
dumplings, which were fine, and would do to compare 
with any that women can make." The statement in an- 
other diary, October fourth, is: "To-day out of sugar, 
and no chance of getting more for eight days." One day 
later Bennett and the dumplings would have had a 
sour time of it. Nothing could be found to take the place 

32 



TRYING "TO WHIP THEM ALL OUT" 33 

of sugar, but when candles gave out, gravy, a rag, and a 
sardine box made a satisfactory light. 

On the same day those fine dumplings were made Com- 
pany K, with a troop of cavalry, was ordered to take the 
cars for Mumfordsville. The train ran to Green river, 
where, on account of the destruction of the bridge, all were 
obliged to leave the cars, and the infantry to wade the 
stream. The men marched over the late battleground, saw 
a great many wounded, chased some guerrillas, which even 
the cavalry could not overtake, and after entering the 
almost deserted village, returned at dark to the south side 
of the river. 

A Louisville newspaper of September thirtieth, telling 
of the death of General Nelson, and giving much other 
information, was prized more highly by members of the 
regiment, who had been benighted for a month, than the 
fifteen thousand pounds of bacon that was captured. 
Shortly after nightfall the infantry took the cars for Cave 
City, threw out pickets and awaited the return of the scout- 
ing cavalry. At one A. M. of the fourth the troop came in, 
all boarded the cars, reaching Bowling Green at daybreak. 
The only amusing incident of the trip was that the Captain 
in command rolled off the top of the box-car where he 
was trying to sleep, and limped for a week, taking to him- 
self the credit of being the only man wounded on the expe- 
dition. 

On Sunday, the fifth, nobody complained of lack of re- 
ligious instruction, for three sermons could have been 
heard, and company Bible classes w^ere open for attendance. 
A sarcastic observer said: "The Devil with chuckaluck, 
his profanity, and his liquor drinking, made a big battle 
with the good Lord, and many a poor wavering fellow had 



34 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

a tough time fighting first on one side and then on the 
other." 

Company G, under command of Captain Carson, on the 
tenth of November, took the train as far as Mumfordsville, 
then marched to Elizabethtown, the men putting their 
knapsacks in the empty wagons they were expecting to 
fill with clothing at that village. Although a heavy rain 
was falling, the thirty-seven miles were traveled in eleven 
hours, the latter half of the journey in the night. After 
a breakfast furnished by the citizens the following morn- 
ing, the wagons were loaded and safely guarded to Bowling 
Green. The Captain reported that the only casualties of 
the march occurred when a squad made an assault, without 
orders, on a liquor saloon. 

On October fifteenth five companies of the Seventieth 
and five hundred cavalry under command of Colonel 
Bruce started on the train for Russellville. It was a very 
slow journey, as the track had been badly torn up. The 
night was spent in a fine grove, a former Confederate en- 
campment, just at the edge of the village. In the morn- 
ing an advance was made about three miles beyond Rus- 
sellville, and the day was spent under the trees. The 
privates felt that they were rewarded for all their disci- 
plinary hardships, when Colonel Bruce ordered an aide and 
a surgeon out of a turnip patch. Why should officers be 
permitted to fill themselves with raw turnips when the 
men in the ranks had to go empty? Two hours after 
dark the troops were loaded on the cars to return inglori- 
ously to Bowling Green, without even a turnip to show for 
the trip. 

At eleven P. M., October nineteenth, the regiment was 
called out and marched to the station, where the men stood 



TRYING "TO WHIP THEM ALL OUT" 35 

around till the train started at three o'clock next morning. 
Hanging on the top of a box car as it swings around the 
curves of a road that has again and again been torn up, 
momentarily expecting to be plunged into a ravine by the 
omnipresent John Morgan, is exciting enough to satisfy 
any lover of adventure. Then, too, if a man is gifted with 
a sense of the ludicrous, he can laugh till he weeps at the 
amazing display of trouserless legs that have waded Green 
River and are climbing its steep banks. 

The men lingered around Mumfordsville all day, feast- 
ing on wild grapes, walnuts and pawpaws, then slept in an 
immense appleless orchard. This was on the slope of a 
hill, and R. M. Smock of Company G began his slumbers 
at the top, but was found the next morning at the bottom 
still asleep. "Blessings light on him that first invented 
sleep." On the afternoon of the next day the regiment 
took the train up the road to Elizabethtown in pursuit 
of the railroad destroyer, but as usual found that the bird 
had flown after accomplishing his plundering work. By 
sundown the return trip to Bowling Green began, and 
continued till the morning of the twenty-second. 

The arrival of an immense mail of over three thousand 
letters, containing the first news from home since Septem- 
ber eleventh, threw the regiment into an ecstasy of joy; 
even the poor fellow who received only one epistle declared 
it was better than any Christmas he had ever seen. Then 
came friends from the North, bringing dainties for the 
palate, letters and encouraging words, but their visits grew 
infrequent as time advanced and distance from home in- 
creased. 

One of these lady friends wrote home: "All Saturday 
and Sunday we sewed hard, putting linings and pockets 



36 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

in overcoats, as the boys brought not only their own, but 
the coats of all their friends to us. It is delightful to do 
anything for them. But it is the funniest thing in the 
world to see the poor fellows stand before our big looking 
glass. As they have nothing but little bits of pocket mir- 
rors, which reflect one feature at a time, of course they 
have not seen themselves — sunburn, buttons and all — 
since they became soldiers. They can hardly tear them- 
selves away. When, after many a lingering look, they do 
get to the front door, they are sure to run back for some- 
thing they pretend to have forgotten — in reality to take 
a parting glance. They haven't a bit of modesty about it. 
I think I should die laughing if I wasn't so sorry for them. 
I tell them they put me in mind of the young men in the 
town of Union at the beginning of the war. Captain 
Cramer was the first to volunteer and get a uniform. Of 
course he had his picture taken. And what should every 
fellow in town do but borrow the captain's suit, run down 
to the wagon — the daguerreotype office was a big covered 
wagon — and get his likeness. Perhaps it gave them reso- 
lution to enlist, for they did one and all." 

Near midnight, October twenty-third, Companies E, G, 
and K stowed themselves away in army wagons, fourteen 
in a vehicle, and accompanied by a squadron of cavalry 
and a section of artillery, made a rapid movement, under 
the command of Major Vance, in an attempt to surprise 
the enemy. About an hour before day a deserted camp 
was discovered with fires still burning. Here the infantry 
left the wagons, took up the double quick, and the whole 
command pushed on to Woodbury, where several pris- 
oners, a number of horses, besides arms and saddles, were 
captured. The command hurried toward Morgantown, 



TRYING "TO WHIP THEM ALL OUT" 37 

threw a few shells at the enemy's scampering rear guard, 
then turned homeward. After supper at Woodbury, given 
at the citizens' expense, the men stumbled for four miles 
across the country, through a dense forest, halting shortly 
before midnight, to be on the march again an hour before 
day. The food in the haversacks had given out, so raven- 
ous appetites were quieted by haws, wild grapes, crab- 
apples and persimmons. When on the afternoon of the 
twenty-fifth the men reached camp, well prepared to ap- 
preciate hard tack and bacon, it was amusing to hear them 
tell their comrades who had not accompanied them how 
superior numbers had been chased, of the hairbreadth 
escape of both the enemy and themselves, and of the deli- 
cious feast at Woodbury. 

With this expedition, some say with the Russellville 
fray, comes upon the stage an animal, that as a representa- 
tive of his important branch of the service, perhaps de- 
serves mention. While he was attending one of the 
regimental reunions, the editor of the Martinsville Repub- 
lican extracted from the grayhaired lads, who were stand- 
ing around patting the horse, the following facts for his 
biography: "Billy was formerly in the ranks of John Mor- 
gan's celebrated raiders, and was captured at Morgantown, 
Kentucky, in October, 1862, by the Seventieth Indiana. He 
was bought of the Government by the Chaplain of the regi- 
ment, and shortly afterwards sold to another officer, with 
whom he took part in that memorable and glorious march 
to the sea, doing his duty faithfully, and always evincing a 
desire to be at the head of the regiment. During the 
march to Atlanta all the horses in the brigade died from 
starvation except Billy, who was pulled through on a diet 
of leaves, and was in quite a reduced state when he par- 



33 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ticipated with Sherman in the capture of that city. Billy- 
was of a very mischievous disposition, and it was im- 
possible to tie or confine him in any way except with a 
chain and lock, and even then he would sometimes manage 
to slip the chain over his head and go cantering about the 
camp searching for provender in the haversacks of the 
soldiers, his joy culminating when by biting and kicking 
the other animals he could make them break loose and 
charge among the sleepers in a general stampede. While 
at Wauhatchie Valley his owner was annoyed by losing 
on Lookout Mountain, miles away from camp, a large 
bandanna handkerchief that had been sent to him by a 
friend in the North. That night Billy slipped his chain 
and roamed at will on the mountain ridge. In the morning 
he came tearing into camp, red bandanna in mouth, and 
it was only after a tantalizing chase of a host of laughing 
pursuers that he was captured and induced to give up his 
find. Once during his nocturnal meandering he was mis- 
taken for a 'Reb' by a nervous picket, who fired at him, 
causing a general alarm. Billy was never known to break 
a buggy but once, and that was when, viewing a 
Democratic procession, a picture of the presidential can- 
didate was turned suddenly towards him. This was too 
much for the old war horse, and he proceeded to demolish 
the buggy and leave that vicinity instantly. Billy showed 
no attachment to any individual, but he was extremely 
fond of the regiment as a body, and very restless when 
separated from it. Some weeks after his arrival at Indian- 
apolis, the war being over, he escaped confinement, and 
made a bee line for the South in search of the Seventieth. 
When six miles on his march through the country Captain 
Carson chanced to meet and halt him." Billy passed his 



TRYING "TO WHIP THEM ALL OUT" 39 

last days in leisure and comfort, and died a natural death 
at the ripe age of thirty-two. 

Bowling Green, October 29, 1862. 
Colonel Bruce: 

Sir — The order imposing upon me the command of an 
expedition in search of Morgan in the region of Brownsville 
or Woodbury was received at 11:30 Thursday evening, Octo- 
ber twenty-sixth. By twelve o'clock the column was in mo- 
tion. Inasmuch as the order left the "point and mode of 
attack open to the discretion of the ofhcers," it was unani- 
mously agreed to direct our march upon Woodbury, as indi- 
cations of the presence of the enemy there were much stronger 
than at Brownsville, and in case of failure there the latter 
place might be included in the return route. The command 
consisted of the following detachments, moving in the order 
they are mentioned: Companies of the Eighth Kentucky 
Cavalry under Major Weathersford, two pieces of artillery 
under command of Lieutenant Swaner; three companies of 
the Seventieth Indiana Infantry under command of Captain 
Merrill; one company of the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry; 
eight companies of the Fourth Kentucky Cavalry under Cap- 
tain Kurfuss. I was convinced it would be impossible to 
reach Woodbury, twenty-two miles distant, in time for a day- 
light attack, for the artillery and infantry necessarily rendered 
the march slow. Every precaution that advanced guards and 
videttes could insure was taken to prevent information of 
our approach being conveyed ahead. By three o'clock we 
had marched ten miles. The videttes here reported suspi- 
cious fires ahead. The column was halted and Major Weath- 
ersford was sent forward to investigate. He reported what 
he believed to be a rebel camp, indicated by numerous fires 
burning brightly. The infantry was instantly ordered for- 
ward. Scouts and skirmishers were sent out to ascertain the 
force and locality; they returned and reported that the enemy, 
apparently in small force, had left after putting out their 
fires. I might as well state here that upon our return march 



40 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

the owner of the ground where they had encamped told me 
that a squad of thirty or forty had stopped there for the night 
and were notified of our approach by the noise of the artil- 
lery lumbering over the rocky hills. At eight o'clock A. M. 
we stopped to feed the horses four miles from Woodbury, 
It was now evident that dispatch alone could insure any suc- 
cess. The roughness of the road rendered the advance of 
the artillery and infantry very slow. I therefore ordered the 
cavalr>' to dash rapidly on to Woodbury, leaving the artillery 
and infantry to follow as expeditiously as possible. We con- 
tinued our advance on the main Morgantown road to within 
two miles of Woodbury, where the column took a branch 
road to that place to the right. At this time the vidette guard 
of three men with Lieutenant Morgan were out of sight 
ahead. The guide with them had forgotten the order to take 
the branch to the right at this place (the main Woodbury 
road leaving the Morgantown road two miles farther ahead) 
and had continued upon the main road. The whole column had 
not yet entered the branch road, and I had sent an 
orderly forward to see if the videttes had, as I suspected, 
taken the wrong road^ when half a dozen pistol shots were 
fired from the Morgantown road to the left and almost abreast 
of us. A moment afterward a negro on horseback and carry- 
ing a basket came galloping through the woods from whence 
the firing took place. We halted him and learned that the 
videttes had exchanged shots with three rebel cavalrymen 
to whom he had just been sent with provisions. (We retained 
his horse). In the meantime Lieutenant Morgan had gal- 
loped back to the forks of the road and found all the column 
but four companies of the Fourth Kentucky Cavalry had 
entered the Woodbury branch. These he detached and took 
rapidly along after the videttes. The column then took the 
double quick until it reached Woodbury. A few squads of 
rebel soldiers loitering upon their horses, twenty or thirty 
in number, were taken completely by surprise and laid down 
their arms. We here learned that at nine o'clock five hun- 
dred rebel cavalry had passed through on their way to Mor- 



TRYING "TO WHIP THEM ALL OUT" 4I 

gantown, where it seems Morgan was having a general ren- 
dezvous. All accounts seemed to place his whole force at 
about two thousand at least, with one piece of artillery. There 
were besides his own men, Duke's and Gano's regmients and 
Breckinridge's battalion. A council of war was held and it 
was unanimously decided to proceed to Morgantown with 
our six hundred and sixty-nine men as soon as the artillery 
and infantry came up. We left at twelve o'clock. Before 
leaving I dispatched two men with a guide to inform the 
four companies on the Morgantown road that they were to 
await further orders at the intersection of that road and a 
byroad uniting it with the road from Woodbury to Morgan- 
town. After proceeding some distance a courier from these 
companies overtook us and informed me that they had fol- 
lowed the three men who fired on our advance so rapidly as 
to reach their camp of about sixty recruits, situated two miles 
from Morgantown, before they had made all preparations for 
one of their characteristic departures; that his men discharged 
their revolvers with no other known effect than a marked 
acceleration of their speed; that several prisoners and horses 
had been taken and a quantity of camp equipage and blan- 
kets. About a mile from Morgantown I detached the re- 
maining three companies of the Fourth Kentucky Cavalry 
and sent them across by the above mentioned byroad to join 
the four companies on the Morgantown road, with orders 
that together they should enter the town upon that side. As 
we neared the hill on which the town is situated a troop of 
rebel cavalry disappeared through the woods on the hill to 
the left of the road. Their unfinished dinner evinced that 
they had just left their camp, which lay at the foot of the 
hill and on both sides of the road. I ordered the artillery 
into position and began shelling the woods where they dis- 
appeared and the road beyond the hill, while the infantry 
and cavalry dashed up the road into town at the same in- 
stant the Fourth Kentucky entered upon the left. We found 
that the rebels had retreated, John Morgan, who had spent 
the night before in the place, having received information of 



42 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

our approach and left half an hour before with all his force 
except those encamped at the foot of the hill. He had taken 
the road to Russellville, but the dilapidated state of the cav- 
alry, for whom this was the eleventh consecutive day of inces- 
sant travel, rendered further pursuit out of the question. I re- 
turned to Woodbury, where I had ordered an ample supper for 
my whole command to be prepared; after which we marched 
four miles toward Bowling Green and encamped for the 
night. Captain Waltman, with a company, met us there and 
returned with us next day. We reached Bowling Green at 
five P. M. on Saturday. We captured forty-five horses and 
accoutrements and forty prisoners, of whom twenty-five were 
Morgan's men with arms and equipments. Of the behavior 
of the command, for which the order held me responsible, I 
will only say that with a few individual exceptions, it was 
unexceptionable ; the cavalry and artillery troops, hungrv^ and 
exhausted at the start, displayed an alacrity and obedience 
and an enthusiasm in the pursuit that was highly commend- 
able. Major Weathersford, every inch a gentleman and a sol- 
dier, rendered me valuable advice in our consultations and aid 
in the execution of our plans. Lieutenant Morgan deserves 
especial mention for his active efBciency as my aid. 
I have the honor to be very respectfully yours, 

SAMUEL C. VANCE, 
Major Seventieth Indiana Volunteers. 



CHAPTER V. 

NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 

The Seventieth Regiment was now assigned to Gen. 
W. T. Ward's Brigade, and to the Twelfth Division, under 
command of Gen. E. Diimont. Before bidding goodbye 
to BowHng Green four hundred men of the regiment took 
the train and started in the direction of Russellville. A 
disloyal engineer had succeeded in running off one of the 
finest locomotives belonging to the L. & N. R. R., and 
now that its services were so badly needed, its loss was 
seriously felt. The stolen engine ran fourteen miles, when 
the water gave out, and its boiler was injured by the fire; 
then it was deserted by its purloiner. The all-night trip 
through the frosty air made all admit, before the engine 
was recaptured and returned, that one iron horse thief 
could do much damage and produce much discomfort. 

An order was received from General Rosecrans detailing 
two men from each company to join the force that was 
to constitute the Pioneer Corps. The following letter 
shows how valuable this organization became: 

Los Angeles, California, September 24th, 1894. 
Ebenezer Harbert, Esq., Whiteland, Johnson County, Ind.: 
Dear Sir — In reply to your favor of August 25th in regard 
to the services of the Pioneer Corps of our Army of the Cum- 
berland, I beg to state that no branch of the service was more 
necessary or did more efficient or faithful work. When I ar- 
rived to take charge of the army I found it had no pioneer 
corps, no sappers, miners, or pontooniers, no bridge train, so 
indispensable to the efficient work of an army, in the midst of 
a country interspersed with rivers and mountains. Although 

43 



44 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

the regiments were much depleted from the full complement 
of men, I found it necessary to draw from them for a force 
to constitute the "Pioneer Corps," and detailed two men from 
each company of infantry accordingly. 

To show how proficient and skilled in its work this or- 
ganization became, and how necessary to the army the 
Pioneer Corps was, I will say this force, later on, constructed 
at Caperton's Ferry across the Tennessee River a pontoon 
bridge at the rate of five feet a minute, completing between 7 
A. M. and 11 A. M. a bridge of twelve hundred and fifty-four 
feet in length. 

These men deserve the highest commendation, as they were 
detailed on special duty and were under the disadvantage of 
being separated from their original commands, and were thus 
prevented from keeping up official records, and were cut off 
from the pathway of promotion. 

Regarding the incident of the gun trial in the bed of Stone 
River, in which you participated, I remember the affair well, 
as it was the first official trial of the celebrated "Catling Gun," 
which was afterwards improved and came to be so effective a 
weapon. With fraternal regards and wishes for your welfare, 
I remain, Yours very truly, 

W. S. ROSECRANS. 

On the afternoon of November tenth General 
Dumont's command moved out eight miles and encamped 
on Drake's Creek, continuing the march next day and 
reaching a permanent encampment at Scottsville on the 
twelfth. While remaining in this town the troops were 
aroused every morning before the first streak of day by the 
roar of a cannon, and stood in line of battle till sunrise. 

The people in the neighborhood of Scottsville w^ere 
typical poor whites, ignorant and credulous. Some of the 
soldiers took advantage of these characteristics, and claim- 
ing that everything was fair in war, used the little cards 
attached to the clothing, on which were the tailors' size 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 45 

numbers, as currency, in trading for chickens and sweet 
potatoes. Even canceled postage stamps became valuable in 
unscrupulous hands, and were exchanged for eggs and 
cornmeal. Some of the citizens of this hilly region, in 
spite of their credulity, were so suspicious that they insisted 
on having new postage stamps marked before receiving 
them. When a soldier was pining for fresh vegetables, and 
had nothing but virgin stamps to trade, he had to be some- 
thing of a moral philosopher to refuse to deal with people 
who insisted upon being swindled. 

Unfortunately two or three men in the regiment, with 
little temptation, acted on the belief that "wit and wis- 
dom born with a man," were to be used in getting the 
better of their fellows. "All is fair in war" covered a multi- 
tude of peccadillos. One such, at a later date, meeting a 
citizen near Nashville, asked the time of day. When the 
watch was taken out he exclaimed with an air of surprise: 
"That is mine!" "No," said the stranger, "I paid the 
jeweler sixty dollars for it." "That may be, but it was 
stolen from me, and my name, M. T. Tobias, is engraved 
within the case." Sure enough the name was there, and 
the watch was delivered to the claimant, for the owner was 
not shrewd enough to guess that the inscription was the 
name of the manufacturer. 

Later still, in North Carolina, a simple-minded couple 
were induced to put their trust in and confide their posses- 
sions to a make-believe relative, only to find their confi- 
dence betrayed. If "it must be that such offenses come," 
one could wish that a comrade were not implicated, and 
that other comrades would not laugh at transactions that 
had more treachery than fun in them. 

A rather peculiar desertion occurred in Scottsville. A 



46 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

Strolling, half-witted preacher had been encouraged by his 
parishioners to enlist, and seemed brightened for a time 
by patriotism or discipline or the semi-roving life of the 
soldier, but his greed was such that he could not pass a 
shirt or trousers throw^n away in the fatigue of the march; 
and as he always donned these acquisitions, never taking 
them ofT to wash, his presence became offensive. When 
one night, clad in nine shirts and five pairs of pantaloons, 
and, as many averred, a sheet-iron coat of mail, he rushed 
by the sentinel shouting, "John Derusha Hopkins will not 
halt," everybody commended the guard for not shooting. 

On the twenty-fifth of November the division moved 
from Scottsville southward. A number of wagons had 
been pressed into the service by the inspector-general on 
General Dumont's staff, and many of the men who were 
not well rode from time to time, and many also quite im- 
prudently relieved themselves of their knapsacks. As some 
of the wagons did not keep up with the advance troops, 
there was shivering on the hillside the first night. 

The following day, the line separating Kentucky from 
Tennessee, marked by a large stone, was crossed. The 
Chaplain mounted this landmark and proposed three 
cheers, which swelled into bursts of shouting as the men 
approached the stone and discovered for what they were 
yelling. The band struck up Dixie, and there was rejoic- 
ing, as if new territory had been gained. The slightest 
ripple on the monotonous current of drill and guard and 
march was welcome to the boys. They were highly 
amused when a rabbit suddenly jumped from the brush 
into the road, at seeing General Dumont put spurs to his 
horse and pursue the fleet creature till it disappeared in a 
culvert. The general was on foot in a twinkHng at the 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 47 

entrance, and the frightened animal sprang from the other 
end of the culvert into the hands of Captain Braden, the 
chief of staff. 

The regiment reached Gallatin on the evening of the 
twenty-sixth, and the Seventieth encamped immediately 
adjoining General Dumont's headquarters. The general, 
observing the difficulty the men had in going over the great 
distances necessary to obtain Avood, made the remark that 
he thought the situation would justify them in taking the 
top rail of a near fence. The bottom rail was soon the top 
one, and everybody was well supplied with fuel. 

Snow fell a few days after the troops arrived, and many 
schemes were devised to make the tents comfortable. 
Two sergeants from Indianapolis entered an engine house, 
took the brass dome off a locomotive, hung it on a rail, and 
started to camp, expecting to use it as a stove. They 
were arrested by a guard and marched threatening, swear- 
ing, protesting and pleading every step of the way to Gen- 
eral Thomas' headquarters. The language of the General 
was anything but mild as he asked them, among other 
questions, what kind of material they thought they were 
made of that they needed a five hundred dollar stove to 
warm themselves with? The guard was ordered to make 
them return the "stove" to the engine that would have 
been ruined without it. There was little pleasure to these 
non-commissioned officers in carrying the heavy thing a 
mile, bu*, the spectacle afforded unbounded delight to the 
privates, who cheered them on their line of march. 

The regiment was put to work on a fortification under 
the superintendence of the chief of engineers on General 
Rosecrans' staff, who kept the spades going by night as 
well as by day. Captain Meredith writes: "It was fun 



48 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

to see the Company E boys, many of whom had been 
printers' devils, but few of whom had ever handled a pick 
or shovel before, pitch into that work. Frank Myers, a 
German, and Joe Landormie, a Frenchman, gifted mimics, 
began jabbering an imitation of Irish laborers, and soon 
the whole gang was making the air green with the sweet 
brogue of Erin. The regular army officer in charge of 
the work congratulated himself on his good fortune in 
getting hold of so many Irishmen, and when the company 
was relieved actually complimented the men on the amount 
of work accomplished." 

Shoveling around the fort cut short somewhat the hours 
of drill, but this was not the only interference. J. H. Kelly, 
of Company I, tells of a pugnacious billy-goat that roamed 
over the common, picking up any food dropped by the 
boys, and then lunching on a canteen. He was ready to 
fight on the smallest provocation, and gave the officers 
not a little trouble when they were moving backwards in 
front of their companies, for he seemed to know that even 
the bravest could not stand an attack in the rear. When 
he grew weary of tormenting the Captain, he would fall 
behind the company, there to have his wrath aroused again 
by some mischievous soldier in the rear rank challenging 
him with the shake of a coat tail. There was always a 
charge, and as often a rout. 

A letter from J. M. Brown, Gallatin, December third, 
states : "We are living on cornbread now. We press corn 
and take it to a mill about a mile from camp and swap it for 
meal. Then we make hoe cakes and all such good things." 

One of the privates tells a shocking story of the way 
his Captain was made to "look sick." When a man was 
caught in some misconduct, the Captain's stereotyped com- 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 49 

mand to the sergeant, made in a deep guttural tone, was, 
'Tut him on extra duty." One night at roll call the Ser- 
geant was running down the list in a perfunctory way, and 
repeated a name three times without receiving a response. 
The Captain, who was standing by, growled, "Put him on 
extra duty," when a voice from the ranks that made the 
air chilly cried, "O Lord, Captain, he's been dead and 
buried two weeks." 

Under the light of subsequent events a quotation from 
a letter of Captain Meredith reads curiously: "The way 
the Copperheads have been acting at home caused a mass 
meeting of indignant soldiers, over which General Paine, 
our post commander, presided. There were good speak- 
ers. General Dumont among the rest, and there was great 
enthusiasm. Our Colonel, Ben. Harrison, was the junior 
officer on the platform, and his speech did not come until 
the others were through. Right away he riveted the at- 
tention of that mass of men, held it undivided for about 
an hour, and was cheered vociferously when he closed. 
General Paine slapped me on the back and exclaimed, 'By 
George, Captain, that Colonel of yours will be President of, 
the United States some day.' " 

On December twelfth the regiment broke camp and 
moved down the Nashville road to engage in the work of 
guarding railroad bridges. Companies A, B, C and D 
were located at Drake's Creek; E and F at Edgefield; G 
and H at Saundersville, I and K at Pilot Knob. The men 
at the latter place, when not drilling and off duty, amused 
themselves by running foot races and snowballing. The 
companies were pitted against one another during a snow- 
storm, and when the contest took on the form of deciding 
which was the strongest, by capturing the chiefs, the cap- 



50 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

tains found themselves in rags at the conclusion of the 
struggle. 

Again a quotation from J. M. Brown: "December 
twenty-fourth, ten miles below Gallatin. You say you 
killed hogs last week. Well, we kill hogs every day or two. 
Jim and Lou and I are washing to-day and making hom- 
iny. We are fixing for Christmas." Letters not only give 
a view of army Hfe, but glimpses too of home affairs. The 
same lad thus teases his sisters: 'T expect you see a great 
old time of a Sunday night? Do you spark in the parlor 
at our house, or do they come home with you from meet- 
ing and then go home without coming in?" Then a 
thought seems to strike him that arouses his patriotic in- 
dignation: "I think if a man is big enough to go with the 
girls he is big enough to go into the army." 

As the old year was dying and the new year was ap- 
proaching with melancholy tread, and while the men of 
our regiment were watching the connections with the 
North of General Rosecrans' struggling army, the deep 
low boom of artillery at Stone River, forty miles away, 
could be heard; and inexpressible anxiety w^as felt for the 
result of the battle. 

For some reason Quartermaster Allison, though he 
made every possible effort, was for a long time unable to 
get clothing for the regiment, and many of the men were 
absolutely in tatters. At last about a dozen pairs of 
trousers for each company was received. The distribution 
to each of their commands, as the captains described it, 
was very amusing, but that of Company E, as being more 
characteristic, is best entitled to a place in history. The 
Captain of this company reported : "In order to deter- 
mine who needed the pantaloons the worst the company 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 5 1 

was mustered in one line for inspection. The front view 
was bad enough, but when the command about face was 
given the aspect was fearful. The rascals had received a 
hint of the object of the muster, and had made prepara- 
tions accordingly. They were all so ragged that it was 
decided to determine by lot who should take the trousers; 
and the disappointed ones were busy the rest of the day 
sewing up the rents they had made." 

The same officer continues in a more serious mood: 
"While we were at Edgefield Junction Sergeant Wm. 
Griggs died. He was a fine soldier, a noble young man, 
and greatly beloved by all his comrades. A messenger was 
sent to headquarters with the request that the Chaplain 
come and conduct the funeral services, but we were in- 
formed that he had gone to Indianapolis on 'leave.' Then 
we concluded to bury our dead comrade with such services 
as we could improvise. The Captain read a chapter from 
the Bible, spoke a few words, and others made remarks. 
An appropriate hymn was sung, and we were about to 
lower the coffin into the grave, when one of the soldiers, 
looking up, saw our Colonel riding over the hill behind us. 
He had come down to supply the place of the Chaplain. 
He dismounted, uncovered, walked to the edge of the 
grave, extended his hands over the coffin, and offered one 
of the most feeling and eloquent prayers to which we had 
ever listened. Then the remains were lowered into the 
grave, the earth thrown in, the salute fired, and the sad 
rite was finished. It was a touching scene, the funeral of 
that soldier on the hillside in Tennessee, away from his 
young wife, his parents, and his many dear friends at 
home." ^ 

On February twelfth, 1863, the Seventieth returned to 



52 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

Gallatin, leaving, however, small detachments from E, F, 
G, H and K to continue guarding- the bridges, under com- 
mand of Major Vance, until his resignation was received, 
and afterwards under command of Captain Carson. In- 
structions were given to these efficient officers by General 
Paine to have the property holders whose land adjoined 
the railroad cut and haul to the track sufficient quan- 
tities of wood for the use of the locomotives, and also to 
arrest all citizens who had failed to obey the order, issued 
some time before, requiring them to take the oath of al- 
legiance and receive protection papers. 

Permission was granted to capture twenty horses, 
bridles and saddles from the disloyal for the purpose of 
mounting scouts to scour the neighboring region, suppress 
guerrillas, apprehend furloughed Confederate soldiers who 
were visiting their homes, and to thwart the schemes of 
those who were planning destruction to the railroad. 
Negroes furnished invaluable assistance by coming with 
information at night. Many a Southern officer, had he 
known all, would have attributed his removal from his bed 
about midnight to stripes he had in years gone by laid on 
the backs of his slaves. 

An attempt in March to wreck a passenger train was 
frustrated by the vigilance of Lieutenant Carey. Rails 
had been piled on the track, where a culvert made it easy 
to wedge them till they became a formidable obstacle. 
Three sisters lived nearby, and as their shoes exactly fitted 
the tracks leading from their house to and around the 
rail piles, they were arrested, taken to Gallatin and impris- 
oned. General Paine felt sure they had designed murder; 
yet as all the evidence was circumstantial, and perhaps 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 53 

because the guilty parties were women, they were admon- 
ished and released. 

A detachment from Companies G and H, under com- 
mand of Lieutenants Hardenbrook and Record, crossed 
the Cumberland River in search of horses. After march- 
ing a mile or two on a road winding through the woods 
they encountered and arrested Captain Duncan, who had 
the reputation of being a desperado. Benjamin Ransdell 
was left behind to guard the prisoner, while the others con- 
tinued their journey. After the detachment had passed 
on, an armed Confederate soldier, who had been concealed 
in a neighboring farm house, escaped, and evidently not 
having observed the guard with his captive, ran down the 
road toward them. This diverted Ransdell's attention. 
While he was getting his gun ready for the approaching 
enemy, his prisoner, knocking him down with a stone, 
threw himself upon him. There was a furious struggle, in 
which the men, mad with rage and fear, fell and rose three 
times. The last time of rising the Confederate drew a 
dirk from his boot, while the Union man, gaining semi- 
possession of his rifle, fired and wounded his enemy in the 
wrist. The crippled man rushed to his horse and mounted, 
only to be felled to the ground by a blow from Ransdell's 
musket. The prisoner then ran, while his adversary was 
hastily loading his rifle. There was deliberate aim, but the 
weapon hr.d been bent in the conflict and failed to carry 
the bullet to the mark. The man from the house did not 
stay to see the conclusion of the duel, but disappeared in 
the woods, and the panting Ransdell was left alone with 
his crooked gun. 

Meanwhile the scouting party, having captured several 
horses, learned that seventy-five armed Confederates were 



54 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

nearby, and started on a hurried return. However, Lieu- 
tenant Record, feeling that one more prize was desirable, 
stopped at a house and bridled a fine pacing mare. A 
stout lady and her stouter daughter seized the bridle, 
braced themselves on each side of the animal's head, and 
bade defiance to the officer. The Lieutenant, disdaining to 
struggle with women, leaped on the steed, loosed the 
throat latch, slipped out the bit, vigorously used his spurs, 
and paced rapidly away, calling out to the astonished 
women, who held the bridle, 'This is a Yankee trick." 

While the detachments under the command of Major 
Vance and Captain Carson were engaged in their impor- 
tant duties in the region immediately north of Nashville, 
the main body of the regiment was encamped at Gallatin, 
employed in work similar to that in which it had been 
occupied at Bowling Green. Drilling was incessant, and 
no one could escape unless he was out on picket or his 
company was off on an expedition. Perfection in outpost 
duty was not attained by some of the soldiers without 
great difficulty. John Maloney, an Irishman of Company 
K, when detailed for this kind of service never could recol- 
lect the countersign if it were a word he had not before 
heard. One evening the officer of the day gave the coun- 
tersign, Solferino, to Sergeant Secrest, who in turn was 
to communicate it to the men on the portion of the line 
of which he had charge. When he came to Maloney he 
said: "Now, Johnnie, I don't want to have any trouble 
with you stopping the grand rounds to-night, so you must 
get the countersign right end foremost in your head, and 
don't you forget it." Then in a low voice, "It's Solferino, 
Solferino, Solferino. Have you got it now, Johnnie?" "No, 
Sairgint; say it agin." So it was repeated over and over. 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 55 

"Yis, Sairgint; I've got it now, and it's the bist countersign 
we iver had." "Tell it to me so I can be sure you know 
it," demanded Secrest. "Sock it to 'em," growled 
Maloney. 

The first of March the regiment went from Gallatin to 
Goose Creek, beyond Hartsville, into a region where 
trouble seemed always breeding. The people were dis- 
posed to give encouragement to the enemy, who crossed 
the river for supplies or for information, and an occasional 
visit of Union troops became a necessity. By way of pay- 
ment for the long march, ninety-eight barrels of flour, 
designed for the men in gray, were removed to Gallatin. 

J. C. Bennett's diary gives the information that "six 
companies of infantry, one of cavalry and sixty scouts, 
under command of Colonel Harrison, started at eight 
A. M., March eighteenth, bound for Carthage. We had 
in our charge sixty head of cattle and seventy wagons. 
Passing through Hartsville we bivouacked at Dickson's 
Springs after forming the wagons into a circle of defense. 
The next day the cavalry drove the cattle on to Carthage, 
but the rest of us, dividing into parties, took different 
directions, and while most of the wagons were loaded with 
corn, hay and oats, some were taken to the mill and loaded 
with barrels of flour. We spent the night at Hartsville, 
and started the following morning for camp through the 
rain and mud." 

Henry Farley of Company B says: "I took part in a 
scouting expedition under command of Lieutenant 
Record. Just at daybreak we captured two men at a dance 
and three in a blackberry patch. I was left with some 
others to guard these prisoners, but hearing some firing 
and thinking there were plenty to take care of the pris- 



56 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

oners, I mounted my horse and hurried in the direction 
of the shooting. Presently I saw a Johnny coming out 
of a lane with Templeton Smith, of our company, after 
him. At sight of me the Johnny changed his course of 
flight, but his horse slipped and fell and Smith took him 
captive. It was a game of blufif on Smith's part, for he 
chased him with an empty gun. The Johnny had done 
pretty well though, for he had put one bullet in Lieutenant 
Record's hand and one in his thigh. The Lieutenant's 
blood was up now, and he said, 'Boys, I'm told there were 
fifteen men at that dance, and we must have some more 
of them.' So we started again, but I got separated from 
the rest and came out on the Nashville pike. I struck a 
blacksmith's shop and saw a man dressed in gray lying 
inside, a couple of pistols in his belt. I crept to the back 
door of the shop, presented arms with the words, 'Hold 
up your hands or die.' While I was unbuckling his pistols 
the blacksmith said, 'No one man could capture him while 
he had two guns.' This gentleman had the pleasure of look- 
ing into the muzzle of one of the captured guns, and when 
ordered to march out on the pike with his comrade made no 
resistance. On recrossing the Cumberland we took with us 
thirteen prisoners and left two to be buried by their 
friends," 

Sunday morning, April twenty-sixth, the men leaped 
into wagons and lumbered away at a fast mule trot toward 
this same troublesome district. The following extract 
from an officer's letter throws some light on the expedi- 
tion: "About daybreak General Paine told me to detach 
four wagons and follow him on a side road, while the rest 
of the train, twenty-six wagons, went on to Hartsville. 
We pulled up at a grass widow's house, husband in the 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 57 

Confederate army, took breakfast and loaded our teams with 
corn, leaving her just enough to keep the wolf from her 
door. I was then sent back to station guards around Mr. 
Smith's house, and to allow no one to escape until the Gen- 
eral's return. There we remained cooping up a household 
of chattering females until two o'clock, while the General 
went on and told the citizens of Hartsville that on his 
next visit their town would be burned and every soul 
driven south if they suffered any more rebels to cross the 
river. 

"The windows and doors of every other house through- 
out the entire region are nailed fast, and the women have 
united their families in the occupied dwellings, so that the 
sentimental soldier has scarcely ceased moralizing over a 
deserted home before he beholds a house with nine gaunt 
women in the doorway and countless hordes of youngsters 
at the broken windows. An old man (a few octogenarians 
are left) asked me where General Paine was from, when his 
pretty niece flashed out, 'From the devil, uncle; what 
makes you ask such a question?' Whether General Paine 
was from the devil or not, he certainly was a merciful man, 
according to the Scripture definition, for he always came 
back with plenty of forage for the animals." 

J. C. Bennett: "On the eighth of May five companies 
of the regimen c hurried to the Cumberland River to cap- 
ture or drive away guerrillas who had fired upon a loaded 
steamboat on its way to Carthage. A snag had sunk the 
vessel, and Companies I and K were detached to afford 
protection while unloading was in progress, and the other 
three were thrown out as skirmishers to advance on the 
south side of the river and capture bushwackers. Only 
four prisoners were caught in the net. From the fifteenth 



58 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

to the twenty-second of May Company B had charge of 
Bulls' Branch ferry. The people paid us for crossing the 
river, and we made thirty dollars in two days, which was 
put into our fund to purchase things for the use of the 
company. Several families of refugees crossed at our ferry 
from whom we took nothing, for we thought they would 
need all the money they had. They said they were trying 
to get into the United States, and w^hen we told them 
they were safe their faces lighted up as if a heavy load had 
been rolled from their shoulders." 

On the twenty-third of May four companies of the 
Seventieth Indiana, two of the One Hundred and Second 
Illinois, and a section of artillery, Colonel Harrison com- 
manding, crossed the Cumberland on a foraging expedi- 
tion, and returned on the evening of the twenty-sixth. 

An officer tells the following story: "One day I was 
sitting in front of my tent, when a man not overly clean, 
but not quite so dirty as John D. Hopkins, came up from 
his company quarters and said 'that he could do something 
I could neither do nor try to do.' Just then the Adjutant 
approached, and I said, 'Here is a man who says he can do 
a thing you can neither do nor try to do.' 'Well,' spoke 
up the Adjutant in that wonderful rich voice of his, 'I would 
like to see a man do what I can't try to do.' The man 
asked him to take a seat on a chair and then popped 
quickly into his lap. Of all the foolish looking men in 
the world the Adjutant took the palm, as the onlookers 
cried out, 'Try to sit in your own lap. Adj.' He couldn't 
do it. He didn't even try." 

The Adjutant is responsible for the following: "There 
were a lot of us sitting around Colonel Harrison one night 
listening to him, for he is a beautiful talker. He was tell- 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 59 

t 

ing of a magnificent lady singer, and as he recalled her 
thrilling voice, he was swept away and burst out with an 
imitation. The contrast between his wonderful descrip- 
tion and the music as he gave it was so amazing that in 
a moment every seat was vacant," 

Our regiment bade a final farewell to Gallatin on the 
first day of June, boarding a train that took it through 
Nashville to Lavergne, fifteen miles southeast on the 
Chattanooga railroad. It occupied quarters just vacated 
by the Tenth Kentucky. Company C, with a company 
from the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois, was stationed 
on Signal hill, two miles away, where Captain Ragan, who 
was in command and who was punctilious in all military 
observances, held dress parade at the close of each day. 

While we were in Lavergne the paymaster made his 
appearance. His funds were gratefully received, and a 
portion as usual devoted to immediate consumption. The 
rustic soldier's favorite article of food was pie. At home 
he was glad to have pie for breakfast and supper, as well 
as for dinner. On pay day he was sure to regale himself 
with pie, though sometimes disappointed in the quantity 
and quality. J. M. Brown writes to his sister on pay day: 
'T have just bought a pie. I tell you they are great pies 
sure. There ^s about as much apples in one as I could eat 
at one mouthful." 

Wm. Wilhite of Company D says: ''On June twenty- 
ninth, just after midnight, we were aroused to go on a 
tramp up the N. & C. R. R., and. marched the remainder 
of the night through a drenching rain. Some of the boys 
lost their shoes in the mudholes. We arrived about day- 
light at a place called Antioch, where we remained till 
noon, and then returned to camp, worn out." 



6o THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

On June thirtieth the regiment marched under the 
broihng sun and encamped on the Murfreesboro battle- 
field in a pouring rain. Here in a few days came news of 
the Gettysburg victory and the capture of Vicksburg. 
Nothing, not even a pie, is so dear to the heart of the 
American soldier as a speech, and on this day of rejoicing 
Colonel Harrison and ofificers of other regiments in the 
brigade complied with solicitations and made speeches that 
refreshed and exhilarated the souls of their audience. 

The weather was exceedingly hot, the food very objec- 
tionable, and many of the men succumbed to sickness. J. 
E. Cleland writes: "Our side meat is very active and able 
to travel, so we drive it down to quarters on foot from 
the commissary's. Dr. Reagan has just issued forty rounds 
of quinine pills to each man and three days' rations of 
Dover's powders for each haversack." 

August sixth, Jerry Barker of Company E, Colonel Har- 
rison's orderly, who had been captured a month before, 
returned, having escaped by bribing his guard. He re- 
ported that he killed one of the men who captured him; 
that his captors took everything he had, even the ring from 
his finger; that his saddle was sold for one hundred and 
fifty dollars and his horse for eight hundred dollars; and 
that he was incarcerated with a hundred others in a single 
room, from which no one was allowed to go for any pur- 
pose, and where the odors were indescribable. A Lieu- 
tenant made the man who took his lady love's ring return 
it, and this was sacrificed by Barker to bribe the sentinel 
to let him escape. 

August nineteenth, the regiment having been assigned 
to the Second Brigade, Third Division of the Reserve 
Corps, marched back to Nashville, arriving on the follow- 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 6l 

ing day. Here, in addition to the ordinary duties of drill 
and picket, was added the unpleasant and dangerous work 
of guarding trains to Stevenson and Chattanooga. J, E. 
Cleland: "We take frequent excursions at reduced rates 
over the Chattanooga railroad, occupying the upper berth 
on the outside to keep the brakemen from getting 
lonely." 

Gettysburg and Vicksburg had given hope that the war 
would soon come to an end. But it went on and on, and 
hope died away. An officer writes to his wife, September 
sixth: "I want to see the babies more than I can tell. One 
of the hardest things a soldier has to bear is the thought 
that his children are growing up without knowing any- 
thing of him." 

The negroes who attached themselves to the regiment 
were very anxious to learn, but when McGuffey's Spellers 
were given them could not believe they could "larn to 
read in them thar kind of books." Their happiness and 
diligence were indescribable when a new supply was or- 
dered, and they received the blue back Webster's Ele- 
mentary Speller they had seen their young masters 
formerly use. One old fellow, after vainly wrestling with 
the alphabet for months, sold his book to a younger man 
for five dollar^. As the speller had cost him nothing, his 
disappointment was attended with at least one consoling 
feature, that though not a man of learning, he certainly 
was a man of business. 

Ben, the doctor's servant, when paid his month's wages, 
said he was going to have his "picter pulled," and asked 
"if it hurt as bad to have a picter pulled as to have a 
tooth pulled." He had probably heard of pictures and 
teeth being drawn. The doctor, who was in favor of en- 



62 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

couraging art, thought "not quite." Some of the colored 
cooks were powerful preachers, and certainly seemed to 
storm Heaven with their prayers. One always concluded 
his petitions with, "Hand us down to our watery graves in 
peace." 

J. C. Bennett: "While we were at Nashville among the 
recruits who came to us was Edward Dill. When he drew 
his first rations he received of course a piece of bacon, and 
came to his quarters in disgust, declaring that he could 
not eat such fat stuff. Bob Angleton inquired in an in- 
nocent way, 'Why didn't you tell the orderly to give you 
ham instead of that?' Then added in a confidential man- 
ner, 'I'll tell you what to do. Take it to Colonel Harrison 
and he will give you ham pound for pound.' Off went Dill 
and walked into the tent without either knocking or salut- 
ing. The Colonel looked at him in astonishment and said, 
'What do you want?' Holding up the greasy chunk he 
told his errand. 'Who sent you to me ?' asked the Colonel. 
'Bob Angleton,' was the reply. The officer of the guard 
was called. Ed and Bob had a guard house experience, 
and the latter in addition was given ample time to enjoy 
his joke while doing 'extra duty.' Angleton, however, 
had better luck with his next jest. Another recruit, John 
Peak, taking his first meal, bean soup was the dinner that 
day, seeing the radicles floating on the savory dish, asked 
Bob, 'What are these?' Angleton replied, 'Oh, nothing 
but skippers the quartermaster saves from old bacon to 
season our broth. They give it a splendid taste.' This 
first view of soldier fare was too much for John, and he 
left the dinner to be devoured by his messmates." 

On November thirteenth an incident occurred which in- 
terested and amused every person in the regiment. Lieu- 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 63 

tenant-Colonel Burgess was a man with very charming 
manners. It was not in his composition to say no. Sel- 
dom left in charge of the regiment, as Colonel Harrison 
had not yet taken permanent command of the brigade, 
responsibility for discipline did not weigh heavily upon 
him. He never had to punish anybody, as the unenviable 
duties of provost marshal had been assigned to the Major. 
When a man applied for a pass the Lieutenant-Colonel's 
first thought was, "Poor devil, let him have a little fun, for 
he will see grief enough before he gets out of this scuffle." 
It was quite possible for one who was far better off in 
camp than out to take advantage of such lenity, secure a 
pass to the city, obtain a drop too much, enjoy a fight or 
two with the provost guards, return to camp under arrest, 
enter the guard house, and while in durance vile have his 
picket duties performed by his better behaved comrades. 
Of course the indulgent Colonel was the most popular man 
in the regiment. 

The following paragraph is taken from the diary of U. 
H. Farr: "Colonel Jim Burgess was always easy on the 
men, while Colonel Ben. Harrison was quite strict. Some 
private conceived the idea of complimenting Burgess and 
at the same time scoring one against Harrison by making 
a present to the former of a handsome sword. So a sub- 
scription was started among the non-commissioned officers 
and privates. Everybody understood the twofold purpose 
of the present. A sword was purchased for one hundred 
and seventy-five dollars, a big box was placed between the 
field and line officers' tents, and everybody gathered in 
a mass meeting. Sergeant John E. Cleland, a fine scholar 
and good speaker, mounted the box and made the pre- 
sentation speech. Burgess could not make a speech and 



64 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

was embarrassed. The regiment was hungry for a speech 
and would not be disappointed; so the cry went up, 'Har- 
rison, Harrison.' " 

Colonel Harrison, who was reading in his tent, feeling 
perhaps that his presence might throw a coldness over the 
audience, immediately appeared, stepped upon the box, 
commended every excellence it was possible to discover 
in the character of Colonel Burgess, and concluded with a 
thrilling appeal, which was received with deafening cheers, 
to every man to ofifer himself anew with undying devotion 
to the service of his country. Shortly after this incident 
Colonel Burgess returned to Indianapolis and took com- 
mand of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Indiana. 

A. J. Johnson, Company I, writes: "General Grant 
reached Nashville in November on his way to the front, 
having taken command of the Army of the Cumberland. 
An escort of thirty men was detailed from our regiment, 
of which I was one. We noticed that the General, although 
quite lame, walked to the station, while his staff rode in 
carriages. After arriving in Chattanooga the General told 
his orderly to take a box of his cigars and pass them 
around. Several of the boys smoked for the first and last 
time, simply because they were General Grant's cigars." 

About this time the Government undertook the organi- 
zation of negroes into regiments ofificered by white men, 
and quite a number of the members of the Seventieth, pre- 
senting themselves to the Board of Examination, were 
deemed worthy of holding highly important positions. 
There was a division of opinion, however, among the sol- 
diers. Some were so loyal to the regiment as to exclaim, 
"We would rather be corporals in the Seventieth than 
commissioned officers elsewhere. To us there is more 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 65 

pleasure, usefulness and honor where we are, among friends 
and with a company raised at and standing for home, than 
in any position to be reached by leaving the boys with 
whom we enlisted." It is a great satisfaction to know that 
a Lieutenant who had received his entire military education 
in the Seventieth had the honor, as commander of a 
brigade, of ordering around Colonel Shafter, afterwards 
Major-General Shafter, the hero of Santiago de Cuba. 
What a pleasure would this privilege not have been to a 
certain newspaper reporter! 

The following letter from Lieutenant Grubbs will give 
an idea of how pleasantly Christmas eve was spent at 
Nashville: "Dress parade was over and all retired to their 
quarters. Here, there, and all over the regiment you could 
see the boys gathering in knots and busily engaged in dis- 
cussing some apparently important project. The crowd 
gradually increased, and the talk grew more animated, 
until company streets became full. It was easy to see that 
something was meditated, and yet that the boys were 
hesitating somewhat. The ofificers noticed that something 
unusual was up, but could not imagine what it was. I had 
gone to supper at Captain Fisher's, and we were quietly 
eating, when we heard a wonderful yelHng up on the right. 
'Company E is at something,' says Captain Fisher, and a 
look convinced us of the truth of the remark. Coming 
down the street was a noisy crowd of perhaps thirty men, 
and elevated over their heads was Captain Meredith. They 
rushed him to the sutler and demanded a treat. Of course 
he complied, and soon every man was puffing away at a 
cigar. Another crowd now came rushing down amid 
shouts and laughter, and this time it was Company G, and 
on their shoulders they bore Captain Carson, one of the 



66 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

Steadiest old men in the regiment. The Captain seemed a 
Httle perplexed, but took it all good humoredly. Officers 
stood around laughing uproariously at the unlucky wights 
whom the boys had seized, and not until ominous crowds 
had gathered around them and rough hands were laid 
upon them did they realize that their time had come. I 
had just stepped out of the tent, and was watching Com- 
pany C hurrying their Captain, a spruce old widower, up to 
the sutler's, and was laughing at his vigorous struggles to 
get away, when I heard a shout, 'There he is, there he is,' 
and turning around I saw Company F coming toward me 
on the run. I started to run, too, but was caught, mounted 
upon a dozen shoulders, and taken double quick to the 
sutler's. I called for a box of cigars, handed them to the 
boys, and was free. Then I could laugh at the others. 
Not an officer escaped. Even Captain Fisher was taken 
from the table and subjected to the same ordeal. Colonel 
Harrison and Major Merrill were each with their wives 
out of camp. But the boys were not to be disappointed. 
They found a Government wagon, fifty strong arms seized 
hold of it, and away they went after them. They drew 
the wagon up in front of the house where the Colonel and 
Major were boarding; half a dozen waited on and informed 
them of their business. Only giving them time to get 
their hats, they bore them to the wagon and started with 
headlong speed for the camp. There the regiment joined 
the wagon pullers, and a long, loud shout went up from 
five hundred voices. After the treat a speech was called 
for, and the Colonel made us one of his happiest little 
speeches. Then with three times three cheers the crowd 
dispersed and that part of the performance was over; As 
the beautiful moonlight evening came on, crowds began 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 67 

to gather in the broad street, violins were brought forth, 
sets were formed, and the awkward but entertaining dance 
of the soldier began. Music and dancing was the order 
until taps, when everything grew quiet and the sports of 
Christmas eve were over." 

As the last night of the year approached, a cold wave 
from the North drove the mercury many degrees below 
zero, and produced indescribable suffering. The exposure 
on the picket posts was very great, but the distress of the 
sentinel who could be reheved and could approach the 
log heap fire once in two hours was mild compared with 
the agony of the train guard, who rode on top of the box 
cars to and from Stevenson, Alabama. Some were frozen 
to death, and many contracted diseases that terminated 
fatally, or crippled the unfortunates for life. 

Captain Meredith: "Company E was detailed for picket 
duty that morning, with outpost on Granny White pike, 
about one mile from company quarters. Realizing that it 
was very cold, the Captain double-quicked his men nearly 
all the way to the outpost. Arriving there he found that 
both his ears were frozen stifif. Others of his company 
were slightly touched, but he most severely. There was 
snow on the ground, and Private Wm. R. Hushaw col- 
lected some, rubbed his Captain's ears, thawing them out. 
The men were relieved every half hour, were double- 
quicked on their beats, and were allowed to build fires 
wherever they could. We were not apprehensive of any 
other enemy than Jack Frost that day. At noon came 
Colonel Harrison on his rounds. Seeing the Captain with 
his head bandaged, he inquired as to the reason, and when 
told became humorous. 'The idea,' he said, *of a Northern 
man coming to the sunny South to get frostbitten was 



68 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ridiculous.' 'Colonel,' the Captain said, 'there is a peculiar 
blue tinge about your nose.' The Colonel removed his 
glove and gently fondled his nose. Then he dismounted. 
'By George, Captain,' he said, 'my nose is frozen.' Billy 
Hushaw made the snow application and the Colonel re- 
sumed his rounds in a thoughtful mood." 

Captain Meredith continues: "The location of the 
quarters of Company E and the tents of its of^cers, so 
convenient to those of the field and staff, soon became a 
source of much unhappiness, uneasiness and disquiet, both 
among men and officers. The company became the scape- 
goat of the regiment, and it was blamed for many an 
escapade of which its members were not guilty; in which 
they had no share. The Captain of Company E became 
what Lieutenant Record of Company H termed 'the regi- 
mental hell catcher,' and the Captain thought the title well 
placed. If there was a disturbance in any part of the camp, 
the Colonel, or the officer in command, would come charg- 
ing down or send the Adjutant to see what the devil was 
the matter in Company E. The company next on the 
right, Company D, was a noisy company, and the one on 
the left, Company F, was not an example of quietness, but 
E company had to catch it just the same; had to come in 
for a good share of the blame for the noise and confusion, 
the fuss and the fun in the other companies." 

A youngster in a company adjoining, writing to his 
parents, mentions E as "a rowdy company, made up at 
Indianapolis, always taking the lead in everything ques- 
tionable." If he meant that they were a jolly set of fellows, 
boiling over with fun and cutting pranks that sometimes 
bothered the officers amazingly, no one could find fault 
with the language. When a hat almost as tall as the stove- 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 69 

pipe was issued to each member of the regiment, and the 
officers were anticipating a magnificent display on dress 
parade, the privates of this company appeared in the cen- 
ter of the line with their hats cut down so that they looked 
more like the mortar boards worn by university students 
than the imposing headgear intended. The effect was ex- 
cessively ludicrous, and the officers, who ought to have 
swollen with rage, were convulsed with laughter. If some 
things were "questionable," it must be admitted that a 
gayer lot of lads, with merriment more contagious, never 
carried the colors. An incident comes to mind, when 
trudging was the word to describe the forward movement 
on The March to the Sea, some whistlers of this company, 
gifted with flutelike tones, struck up "Johnny fill up the 
bowl." Instantly the strange music swelled up and down 
the column, and the whole battalion was keeping time to 
the cheerful melody with that beautiful swaying movement 
seldom seen except when troops are passing in review. 
Those who brighten life and lighten its burdens are not 
"rowdies," they are benefactors. 

On January second, 1864, the Seventieth Indiana was 
transferred to the First Brigade, First Division, Eleventh 
Army Corps, commanded by General Howard. General 
Ward was placed in command of the division and Colonel 
Harrison of the brigade. The shelter or dog tent, as it was 
nicknamed, was issued on the thirtieth of this month. A 
piece of light canvas about six feet square, with a row of 
buttons or buttonholes on three sides, was given to each 
man. The soldiers usually united two or four of these 
pieces, then stretching them over a horizontal pole, raised 
on forks about three feet high, fastened the short ropes 
attached to the corners to stakes in the ground. The 



70 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

patriots entered this dwelling on all fours. The single 
piece of muslin and a small oilcloth was carried by each 
man, and by them he was protected at night from the 
dampness of the ground and the pelting of the tempest. 

A strong effort \vas made by the authorities at Nash- 
ville to keep the brigade from moving southward, but the 
desire on the part of most of the men, who had been so 
long in what was called the rear to be on the front line, 
had grown more intense as the months passed. The 
officers were even more anxious to get away from the city, 
with its temptations, than the soldiers they had to restrain. 
One in rather a sweeping way writes, January twenty-first, 
1864: 'T have a hard company to manage. The men will 
get drunk whenever they can get whisky, and soldiers can 
adopt many expedients to get that article. It is the curse 
of the army, from general down to private. If I had never 
been for temperance in principle and practice before, my 
experience and observation in the army would make me 
uncompromising and unyielding upon that subject." 
There were men and women in the city, who in their dens 
of pollution preached from the text, "Let us eat and drink 
for to-morrow we die," and as there were hundreds in the 
regiment who were not yet of age, what wonder that some, 
out from the restraints of home, listened to the damnable 
doctrine. 

Yet the Seventieth Indiana as a whole, was the better 
for its varied experience. This experience had been of a 
nature that but few, if any other regiments had enjoyed. 
Many troops entering the service about the same time 
were hurried into battle without preparation, and were sac- 
rificed in the vain struggle to stop the advance of General 
Bragg's veterans. Our regiment while cut off from home 



NEW COMMANDERS AND NEW SCENES 71 

and from the rest of the army, and for a long period out- 
numbered by large bodies of the enemy on every side, was 
taught there was nothing to depend upon but constant 
watchfulness, and confirmed in the determination never to be 
captured, a fate known to be worse than death. Night after 
night it was called out and formed in line of battle, and day 
after day the monotony of drill was relieved by expeditions 
against and skirmishes with marauders. Discipline was 
severe, for the commander, Colonel Benjamin Harrison, 
knew that without discipHne a thousand men are no better 
than a mob. He proposed to form a battalion that in the 
day of battle would move as if animated by one soul. He 
had the intellect and the will, and he accomplished the 
work. If vigilance and labor could keep the men supplied 
with food and clothing, nothing was wanting. Such was 
the care for the health that no other Indiana regiment in 
the service for three years, lost as few by sickness, except 
the Thirty-second, which was composed for the most part 
of veterans who had seen service in Germany and were 
inured to hardships of war. The regiment was fortunate 
in having for the first eight months of its history, a superior 
drill master in the person of Maj. S. C. Vance. Under his 
able supervision the battalion moved w'ith clock-like regu- 
larity. Now after a year and a half of invaluable experi- 
ence in discipline, drill, skirmishing, scouting, bridge 
guarding, railway and train guarding, provost duty in vil- 
lage and city, picket duty, regimental, brigade and division 
evolutions in the field, it was ready to take a place at the 
front, and enter upon a campaign, which was not to end 
until the surrender of all the Confederate armies in North 
Carolina, and upon a march which was not to cease until it 
passed through Atlanta, Savannah, Raleigh and Rich- 



'J2 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

mond, and entered in triumph the national capital, Wash- 
ington. 

Headquarters Eleventh and Twelfth Corps, 

Lookout Valley, Tenn., February 12, 1864. 
Maj. Gen. Hooker: 

General — I would respectfully report that in compliance 
with your order, I visited Nashville. 

My opinion in the premises is that the interests of the ser- 
vice would be best promoted by moving General Ward's 
Brigade, if not his division, to the front. Their present con- 
dition near Nashville, with its temptation to soldiers, will not 
be improved. The command is represented to be in a very 
high state of discipline and perfection in drill. 
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

DANIEL BUTTERFIELD, 

Maj. Gen., Chief of Staff. 



CHAPTER VI. 

ON TO RICHMOND 

The column moved out on the Murfreesboro pike at 
seven o'clock on February twenty- fourth, 1864. On this date 
an officer writes : 'T rose at four o'clock this morning to pre- 
pare for the march, and was just dressed when an old black 
fellow knocked at my door and asked whether I could give 
him a coffin. 'A coffin, old man! What ails you?' I said. 
'My chile ten years ole died to-night and I'se gwine wid de 
rigement^ and you said my wife couldn't go long, and she 
ain't got noffin wid her to bury de chile in.' So I woke up 
the regimental carpenter, and set him to work on some old 
boards." Of the first night out the same officer writes: 
"The boys of the regiment became cold about midnight, 
and rose howling over the camp fire till dawn. I sleep 
with my overcoat for a night gown and take off my boots;" 
then referring to a statement his correspondent had made, 
he adds, "and so did General Dumont until he went home, 
and if as you say he gets into bed now booted and spurred, 
it's to give his family some idea of the terrors of war." 

Of the second evening he writes: "Our camp ground is 
full of rabbits, and we have caught at least one hundred 
and fifty and one fox. The boys stewed Reynard, but I 
can't say they succeeded in eating him." Then on the 
twenty-eighth : "To-day we passed through a beautiful coun- 
try, inhabited for the most part by loyal people. The doors of 
the houses along the road were filled with ladies greeting 
us with waving flags. It began raining at night and con- 
tinued for thirty-six hours, changing at last into a sleet. I 



74 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

can't tell how many times I heard remarks similar to these: 
'Wouldn't my mother think her boy was gone up if she 
could see this?' 'What would your wife say if she could 
see you now?' Twenty-five of our mules died in the har- 
ness, but the men bore up wonderfully; indeed it would 
have made you cry to hear them cheering each other. 
Now and then some poor fellow stumbling, would sink 
down under his gun and knapsack, and groan in a semi- 
ludicrous manner, 'O God, boys, I'm ready for peace on any 
terms.' When after wading through knee deep mortar 
the troops were encamped at night in a swamp near TuUa- 
homa, it was thought wise to issue a ration of whisky to 
each man. Many refused to accept, but passed it on to 
those who felt the need of a double or triple dose, and as a 
result, not a few became howling drunk." 

J. H. Kelly : "The regiment marched in rear of the bri- 
gade, and Companies I and K, in charge of the wagons, be- 
hind everything. The rain and the tramping in front soon 
put the dirt road in a fearful condition, so that we strug- 
gled and floundered along all day in the red, sticky 
Tennessee mud. When night came we found ourselves 
left alone, with the train stuck fast. It was so intensely 
dark we could see nothing, but found some rotten logs by 
feeling around with our feet, and breaking them up, placed 
them side by side as a platform, with top above the sur- 
rounding water. On this we kindled our fire with bark 
stripped from the side of a tree that was least soaked. 
Fuel was so scarce and poor that it kept one or two busy 
hunting it up to replenish our fire. There was no place to 
lie down or even sit, except on a water-soaked log or chunk. 
Men would go to sleep leaning against a tree, slip and fall 
into the water. At intervals through the night could be 



ON TO RICHMOND 75 

heard above the pattering rain and the dashing sleet the 
struggle of a mule as he fell, having succumbed to fatigue 
and exposure, and sacrificed his life for his country." 

An officer writes: "I gave my tent and blankets to Cap- 
tain Fisher, for he is an old man and not very well. There 
was little or no self denial in this, for I was so wet that it 
seemed safer to sit through the night by a smouldering log 
heap than to fall asleep in damp clothes." 

J. E. Cleland, dating his letter two days later, "Twelve 
miles beyond Hell," writes: "It took six gallons of com- 
missary to drag Companies I and K through the mud, ice 
and water into camp." J.M.Brown: "It was the coldest 
rain I ever saw. I lay in the water about three inches 
deep all night, so you may know how I slept." The fol- 
lowing day many were engaged in extricating the wagons 
from the mire, many of the whisky drinkers were on the 
stool of repentance, while the commanders of the regi- 
ments made the monthly muster. 

On March fourth the wrong road was taken, and the troops 
tramped many miles over the mountains unnecessarily. 
Instead of retracing their steps, they wisely made their 
tiresome way through w^oods and over rocks till they ar- 
rived at the point they should have reached hours before. 
Daybreak on March ninth found the regiment on its way 
across the Tennessee pontoon bridge, into the region of 
dead mules. The road was lined with decomposing car- 
casses, forty or fifty lying within a few rods in some places, 
so that from Bridgeport to Wauhatchie it was impossible 
to draw a pure breath. 

The tenth of March, after a dozen miles of trudging, 
brought the regiment to the Wauhatchie encampment on 
a picturesque hillside, under the frowning heights of Look- 



76 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

out Mountain. Major General Howard, the Corps com- 
mander, met it on its arrival, and inspected it minutely. 
The men were exhausted by the last day's march through 
the hot sun and the polluted atmosphere, and some fainted 
as they stood in the ranks, while General Howard was rid- 
ing along the lines. 

For several days the weather was exceedingly un- 
pleasant, the winds roaring around the base of the moun- 
tains, as if determined to carry even the lowly shelter tents 
into the river. All were astonished at a snowfall fourteen 
inches deep, but thought Northerners ought not to com- 
plain as long as the Southern army nearby had to endure 
the same affliction. 

As soon as the weather made it practicable timber was 
cut on the mountain side, lumber was made by splitting 
logs, and the men built what they called frame houses, into 
which they could enter without stooping. Hewed log 
dwellings with old fashioned hospitable fireplaces were 
erected for the officers. Pine and fir trees were trans- 
planted from the heights to the streets of the little city, and 
graceful arches of cedar spanned them at either end. A 
beautiful decoration composed of evergreen, moss and 
flowers embowered headquarters, and the whole place was 
more like a park than a camp. 

Lieutenant Grubbs: "If you could step into my cosy 
little home and notice how neat and nice and warm it is 
you would think the soldier's life was not so hard after all; 
that at least it had its hours of enjoyment, as cheerful as 
ever one knew in other days and other places. A fire 
never sparkled more brightly, or sang more merrily than 
mine, nor could any throw its genial warmth throughout 
the room more completely. Soldiering here is such that 



ON TO RICHMOND ']'J 

the most romantic can enjoy it. And yet our work is in- 
cessant. We have not passed an idle day since our arrival. 
We worked hard at our encampment until now, despite all 
the disadvantages we labored under; we have the most 
neatly arranged and comfortable camp we have had since 
we entered the service. And now that our encampment 
is finished, our houses built and our trees planted, the old 
orders for drill have again sprung into life, and four hours 
out of each day we must spend perfecting ourselves in the 
evolutions of the soldier. 

"The men imagined that when we should leave Nashville, 
style would play out in the Seventieth, and congratulated 
themselves on the speedy coming of that auspicious day. 
But we have learned that in proportion as we approach the 
front and draw near the lines of the enemy, in that propor- 
tion does the thoroughness and rigidness of inspections 
and reviews increase. On Sunday at regimental inspec- 
tion, though there was not a spectator, the regiment never 
appeared so well. Guns never shone more brightly nor 
clothing looked more neat and clean. Many a man will 
learn lessons of neatness and tidiness in the army he never 
knew at home. How many men at home will go to church 
with their shoes unblacked and their clothes undusted? 
But the soldier who dares venture on Sunday morning in- 
spection with unpolished shoes and dusty clothes receives 
a public reprimand, and is fortunate indeed if he escapes so 
easily. I could march my company into a fashionable 
church on Sabbath morning and they would do no dis- 
honor to its cushioned seats and carpeted floors." 

A letter from another officer: "Major Generals Hooker 
and Butterfield called the other day and walked around, 
expressing themselves as perfectly delighted with the ele- 



78 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

gance and cleanliness of the camp, and the healthy appear- 
ance of the men. General Hooker was enthusiastic, 
exclaiming that he had never seen anything to equal it, 
that the whole camp was as perfect as a parlor. Without 
exception the men agree that they never had a finer camp 
and never felt in better humor." 

On the organization of the Twentieth Army Corps the 
Seventieth was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Divis- 
ion, in which it continued till the close of the war. 

The following extract from a letter by Lieutenant Grubbs, 
dated April tw^enty-ninth, should be inserted to show how 
well the Third Division of the Twentieth Army Corps 
could move at the command of one of the greatest men the 
war produced. Gen. George H. Thomas; how thoroughly 
it was prepared for the great movement in which it was 
about to engage, and above all, how little a sham battle is 
like a real one. "Yesterday we held a division drill and 
went gallantly through all the maneuvers of a sham battle. 
We moved from camp at ten o'clock and marched four 
miles to the drill ground. There we rested while the other 
brigades came on the field. A half hour later General 
Butterfield and staff rode up and the long line was formed. 
We stood at attention while Generals Thomas, Hooker, 
Brannon, Whipple and others rode through the lines and 
took their station on an eminence that overlooked the en- 
tire field. In the center were the dense columns of troops, 
on the right and left batteries, in the rear ambulances. 

"We maneuvered for an hour, now advancing, now re- 
treating, now forming heavy columns, then breaking into 
line of battle, moving first in quick, then in double quick 
time; then there was a rest for a few moments, then the 
work commenced. To repel a charge of cavalry we were 



ON TO RICHMOND 79 

first thrown on the double quick into squares. Sections of 
artillery were formed in the angles, and a heavy fire was 
opened on the imaginary enemy. Then we were moved 
eastward a short distance, and the four miles of the valley 
lay before us. We had provided ourselves with forty 
rounds of blank cartridges and were anxious to use them. 
One regiment was thrown forward as skirmishers, and ex- 
tended its lines clear across the valley and up the hills on 
either side. Two long lines of battle two hundred yards 
apart were formed across the valley, while our regiment 
and the Thirty-third Massachusetts were held in column in 
reserve. Our two right companies were sent to the ex- 
treme right to cover and support the battery which had 
commenced to play from a little hill that looked out upon 
the valley. 

"The call sounded and the entire division moved 
forward. We were advancing upon the enemy and it was 
our first even sham battle. Soon the sharp crack of guns 
in front proclaimed that the skirmishers were engaged. 
We had been advancing about five hundred yards, and 
the firing was rapid and continuous in front, when we came 
upon a small ridge that ran directly across the valley, and 
the whole field opened like a map before us. A quarter of 
a mile beyond was the beautiful line of skirmishers, sway- 
ing from hillside to hillside as the men alternately halted to 
load and fire, and then advanced, the white puff of smoke 
springing from the guns and curling above their heads as 
each one shot. In rear of them and a hundred yards apart 
were two long lines of battle, each three thousand strong, 
moving steadily forward and keeping pace with the skirm- 
ishers. Imagine now a fight; the skirmishers drawn in, the 
troops that were yet in column thrown into line on the 



8o THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

double quick, we hastening a mile around to the left; the 
roll of musketry, the thunder of cannon." 

A few days before the campaign began quantities of 
potatoes, onions and sauer kraut were issued, with instruc- 
tions, it was said, from General Sherman, to eat enough 
in a week to keep ofif scorbutic diseases for the summer. 

It may not be amiss, in order to give some idea of what 
was in store for us, to quote a few lines from a letter by 
Major General Lawton, who, as an officer in the Thirtieth 
Indiana, took part in the Atlanta campaign, and also dis- 
tinguished himself in Cuba and the Philippines. "You ask 
me to give a comparison of the two wars. There is no 
comparison to be made. The war of the Rebellion was 
one of the greatest conflicts the world has ever known; the 
war with Spain is probably one of the least, so far as actual 
operations are concerned, that has ever been fought. 
The exposure of the Cuban campaign for a few days was 
very trying, but it was nothing to compare in time or con- 
ditions to our civil war. The rations in Cuba were better 
than anything we ever had, or believed it possible for an 
army to have in the war of the Rebellion. It is true that 
for a few days in Cuba we were short, but that was for lack 
of transportation, and then we were never without some 
portion of the ration, and that portion was better than our 
soldiers had at the best during the civil war." 

The following is a statement of the strength of the army 
Sherman proposed to throw against the enemy: 

Army of the Cumberland. General Thomas. 

Infantry 54^568 

Artillery (Field Guns 130) '^^^77 

Cavalry 3.828 

60,773 



ON TO RICHMOND 8l 

Army of the Tennessee. General McPherson. 

Infantry 22,437 

Artillery (Field Guns 96) 1,404 

Cavalry 624 

24,465 

Army of the Ohio. General Schofield. 

Infantry 11,183 

Artillery (Field Guns 28) 679 

Cavalry i ,697 

13-559 

Aggregate Men 98,797 

Aggregate Cannon 254 

It is but human for men who before a conflict think that 
one man on the side they represent is equal to five of the 
opposing force, after defeat to convince themselves, and to 
attempt to convince the world that the result was owing to 
overwhelming numbers, but an extract from a document 
issued at the Executive Office in Richmond, by President 
Jeflerson Davis, throws a light that clearly reveals the 
situation as it existed on the Atlanta campaign: 

"I could not discover between the forces of General 
Johnston and General Sherman any such disparity as was 
alleged, nor do I believe that our army in any military de- 
partment since the beginning of the war has been so nearly 
equal in numbers with the enemy as in this last campaign 
of General Johnston. As the loss in killed and wounded, 
sick and prisoners, in infantry and artillery alone was 
22,000 men, and would probably be swollen to 25,000 by 
adding the loss in cavalry, and as the force available on 
the loth of July was about 62,000, it is deduced that General 
Johnston had been in command of an army of about 85,000 
men fit for active duty to oppose Sherman, whose effective 



82 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

force was not believed to have been much in excess of that 
number. The entire force of the enemy was considerably 
greater than the numbers I have mentioned, and so was 
General Johnston's, but in considering the merits of the 
campaign it is not necessary to do more than compare the 
actual strength of the armies which might have joined the 
issue of battle. When it is considered that with forces 
thus matched General Johnston was endeavoring to hold 
a mountainous district of our own country with numerous 
fortified positions, while the enemy was in the midst of a 
hostile population and with a long line of communications 
to guard, it is evident that it was not the want of men or 
means which caused the disastrous failure of his cam- 
paign." 

JEFF'N DAVIS. 



CHAPTER VII. 

IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY 

On Monday morning, May second, 1864, the regiment 
entered Georgia, and encamped in the evening near Lee 
and Gordon's Mills, remaining there one day. On the 
fourth we moved out toward Buzzards' Roost or Rocky 
Faced Ridge and found the enemy strongly entrenched at 
Dalton. A letter dated Sunday the eighth says: "There 
was a large turn out to preaching this morning in God's 
first temple, for the poor fellows of our regiment feel pretty 
solemn at the prospect of a coming battle." Until the 
ninth, brisk skirmishing was kept up, then an advance was 
made through Snake Creek Gap. 

General Sherman states his conviction in his Memoirs 
that if Mcpherson had pushed things as instructed, John- 
ston's army would have been badly crippled, if not de- 
stroyed. 

An extract from the diary of Wm. Wilhite gives infor- 
mation as to the happenings of the first days of May. 
"We broke up camp at seven A. M. and marched in the 
direction of Lafayette, Georgia, crossing over the nose of 
Lookout Mountain, through Rossville and Rossville Gap, 
over Chickamauga battle field, and reached Lee and Gor- 
don's Mills about four P. M., where we went into camp 
with tired limbs and blistered feet, having traveled about 
sixteen miles. Thinking we were to remain here for a 
while, we built on the next day very respectable cabins out 
of pine poles and occupied them through the ijight. 

"Marching orders came on the fourth, so we very reluct- 

83 



84 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

antly left our newly constructed quarters, and turning off 
the Lafayette road, crossed the Chickamauga on a very 
treacherous bridge, partially burned by the rebels, and 
moved toward Ringgold. Company D was on the flank and 
we could hear firing in the direction of Tunnel Hill. The 
weather was very warm, but we marched thirteen miles 
and halted within two miles of Ringgold. We lay in camp 
on the fifth listening to the occasional firing in front. On 
the sixth we started at seven A. M. and halted for the night 
at Nickajack Gap on Chapman's Farm. The weather w^as 
very hot, and our progress was hindered by the rebels hav- 
ing blockaded the way with timber. 

"On the seventh we set out at six A. M., crossed Taylor's 
Ridge where our advance encountered rebel scouts, rout- 
ing them and capturing some prisoners, arms and horses. 
We marched through the heat thirteen miles and halted 
within six miles of Dalton. May eighth we lay in camp 
with arms stacked ready to move at a moment's warning. 
We remained in camp on the ninth while quite a battle 
was raging at Tunnel Hill and Rocky Face Ridge, in which 
part of our Corps was engaged. While w'e w^ere lying in 
camp on the tenth we heard heavy firing in the direction of 
Rocky Face Ridge and Tunnel Hill which ceased in the 
evening, and the news reached us that the rebels were fall- 
ing back to Resaca, where they would probably make a 
stand. After a rainy night we were aroused at four o'clock 
on May eleventh, prepared a hasty breakfast, marched with 
wet blankets and clothing through very muddy roads ten 
miles to Snake Creek Gap. The next morning we moved 
out about four miles and remained there the rest of the 
day and night, w^hile firing in front was to be heard. 

"May thirteenth we marched at seven A. M., but only 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY 85 

moved a short distance, when we halted and saw Generals 
Sherman, Schofield, Hooker, Thomas, McPherson and 
Kilpatrick holding a council nearby. After awhile they 
went to their different commands, but soon Kilpatrick, at 
the head of his troops, dashed to the front. 'Twas not 
long till heavy firing was heard, and the news came back 
that the General had run into an ambush and was badly 
wounded. He was soon brought back in an ambulance, 
and we fell in and moved forward, being in the second line 
of battle. There was heavy skirmishing, but the rebels 
kept falling back. Occasionally one killed or wounded 
was brought to the rear, and now and then a cannon ball 
came crashing through the trees above our heads, and the 
minie balls came singing their unwelcome music. About 
sundown we were ordered to relieve the advance line, and 
passing the Twelfth Indiana, learned that Captain Peoples 
had been killed. 

"While we were in the second hne lying back in the 
woods, Colonel Mern'Il, who was inclined to be a little jolly 
sometimes, was standing holding his horse, and when the 
small shells came crashing through the trees, as we thought 
uncomfortably low, he began to poke fun at the boys for 
rather drooping their heads. Presently he mounted his 
horse and we were ordered forward a few rods. When we 
halted the Colonel took off his hat, hung it on the pommel 
of his saddle, took out his handkerchief and was leisurely 
wiping his brow, when one of those big shells that comes 
as if it were saying you! you! you! and you can't tell which 
you it means, came whizzing through the trees, and passed 
just above his head. Of course the head went down, and 
then it was the boys' time to laugh. After they had got 
somewhat through, the Colonel, enjoying the joke as well 



86 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

as any of them, looked around and said, 'Boys, you may 
dodge the big ones.' 

"The rebels were soon driven into their works, and the 
firing ceased for the night, except an occasional shot. We 
halted at the edge of a thick woods, made some cofifee, 
after which we moved farther into the woods, sent out 
skirmishers and were ordered to lie down on our arms and 
rest. On May fourteenth heavy firing began at the first 
peep of day between our skirmishers and the rebel sharp- 
shooters. About nine o'clock Company D was deployed 
as skirmishers, and ordered to move down to the foot of a 
steep bluff in front and halt till further orders. We im- 
mediately moved down under a raging fire, and halted be- 
hind a low brush fence. After lying here for a while, and 
before being ordered forward, I was wounded and taken 
to the rear." 

Going back to the thirteenth, we marched toward Resaca, 
coming up with the enemy in the evening. After being 
formed in line of battle and waiting till dark we moved to 
the left and took position on a ridge in the front line. At 
the foot of the hill was a field about fifty rods wide which 
lay between the ridge and a forest occupied by the enemy. 
Pickets under command of Captain Carson were thrown 
out for the night, and were relieved the following morning 
by Company D under command of Captain Tansey, who 
later in the day cautiously advanced the skirmish line. 

About one o'clock, in order, it was said, to attract the 
attention of the enemy while a charge was being made a 
mile or two to the left by the First Division, the regiment 
descended the hill and lay down by a fence, prepared to ad- 
vance across the field should the order be given. Here an 
incident with both an amusing and a serious phase oc- 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY 87 

curred. A sharpshooter from the crest of the ridge in the 
rear fired several shots at the enemy's skirmishers. At 
each crack of his rifle at least a score of bullets as a reply 
would whiz about the ears of our unprotected men be- 
neath. One of the field officers, provoked by his thought- 
lessness, sent a Sergeant back to arrest and bring him to the 
front. In a short time the Sergeant returned unaccom- 
panied, and reported that Major General Butterfield had 
possessed himself of a telescopic rifle and ensconced be- 
hind a tree was improving his marksmanship at the ex- 
pense of the Confederate pickets, and especially of his own 
troops. After one or two more shots, probably to show 
the Sergeant that he could not be intimidated, the double 
starred sharpshooter ceased firing. 

While we were in this exposed position, unable to make 
any response on account of the danger to the Union 
pickets in front, two enlisted men were killed, and Lieu- 
tenant Martin and ten men in the ranks were wounded. 
After looking out over the unattractive field for some 
hours the men were ordered to retire, a few at a time, to the 
position formerly occupied on the ridge. 

J. L. Ketcham: "We were nearly all night getting 
ready for the fight. Found ourselves next morning on a 
woody hill and the rebels just opposite. They were on a 
hill, shaped it seemed to me something like an egg, and 
with an open space all round it, the strongest natural forti- 
fication I ever saw. Then they had three or four Hues of 
intrenchments. Between us and them, in the open space, 
was a deep, muddy ditch, so it would have been folly for 
us to make a charge there. We sent out skirmishers, who 
hid behind stumps in the open field, and shot and were 
shot at all day. One good thing our hill was round, too. 



88 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

SO we could get behind it. Bullets from rebel sharp- 
shooters kept flying past us all day, wounding a man now 
and then. General Ward couldn't keep still, he wanted to 
make a charge so bad. At last he ordered the brigade 
forward, so our regiment, the only one that advanced, went 
over the hill in about ten seconds (no exaggeration) and 
hid behind a fence at the bottom. It would have taken us 
three quarters of an hour to cross that open field. What 
would have been our loss had we advanced? We waited 
behind the fence till dark." 

On the morning of May fifteenth the regiment was relieved 
and marched to the left several miles, and as it was Sunday 
saw men of other organizations engaged in religious serv- 
ices. As the report gained credence that a charge was to 
be made on the enemy's works, some humorous semi- 
solemn remarks were made by men who were not frequent 
listeners to the Chaplain's sermons, as to the desirability of 
halting and spending the day in devotional exercises. At 
last there was a halt, and a command to unsling knapsacks 
and fix bayonets. The Seventieth was formed in line of 
battle and behind were the other regiments of the First 
Brigade in similar formation, the whole in a column of 
battalions, with intervals of forty paces between each regi- 
ment. General Hooker, attended by other officers, rode 
forward and stated that some guns belonging to the enemy 
on the opposite hill were to be taken. 

For a few moments there was a stillness in which we 
could hear a leaf fall. No wonder, for there were men in 
that line who were to live but a few moments longer. 
Alas, not all were ready for the sacrifice! One man said, 
''Captain, let me fill the canteens at that spring and bring 
them to the boys." Canteens nor man were ever seen 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY 89 

again. Many a dying soldier cried in vain for water be- 
cause of this cowardly perfidy. One of those, however, 
who looked death in the face said, "I can feel the little 
hands of my babies around my neck, and hear my wife 
whispering goodbye." Another, as he threw away a pack 
of cards, "I don't want to be killed with these in my 
pocket." Another, **If I fall and you survive take what 
you find in my knapsack to mother." 

The thoughts of the older man who has left a family 
have a wider range than the younger. The breastworks, 
the rocks, the trees, the armed men sink out of sight, and 
the husband and father is in his Indiana home where the 
little children cling to him, and wife breathes what seems 
to be an eternal goodbye. It is a heartbreaking moment, 
but the little fingers are quickly loosened, and again he is 
in Georgia under bonds to duty. What matters what hap- 
pens ? If this is all there is of life, if love means agony, it 
is well to have all ended quickly. Or if this be but the 
threshold of existence, then it were well to storm the ram- 
parts defended by death and burst into the realms of life 
eternal. 

We remember the silent movement of the line through 
the woods, the ringing cheer for Indiana, the sweep across 
the field, the odor of resin as the canister burst above us, 
the sand thrown in our faces by the shot that struck before 
us, the rush through the thicket, the dash into the redoubt, 
the breastworks in rear deserted by the flying enemy, the 
agonizing cry to our men behind to stop firing on us, the 
determined feeling as we lay on the ground and clung to 
the captured lunette, while bullets from front and rear, 
from right and left pattered like hail on the leaves by our 
side. Ah, that might have been a glorious day had the 



90 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

Generals in command of the Second and Third Divisions 
started all the columns at once, and instead of staying be- 
hind, gone with their inexperienced troops, as General 
Sheridan would have done; for then we would not merely 
have captured the battery, we would have driven the Con- 
federates into the river. 

The narrative requires descriptions with increase of de- 
tails and suppression of feeling. 

Just at noon, — two of the regimental commanders how- 
ever in their official reports say at eleven o'clock, — the com- 
mand "Forward" was given in a low tone and the regiment 
moved silently and with peifect alignment through the 
woods. When the foot of the hill was reached, and a com- 
paratively open space appeared, Colonel Harrison in a 
ringing voice commanded, "Cheer men for Indiana! For- 
ward! Double quick! March!" The cheers swelled 
into a grand shout as the whole line rushed forward. The 
cannon in the lunette thundered a reply, but there was no 
stopping till all the gunners but five were either killed or 
taken prisoners. For a little while there was a wild scene 
in the lunette, artillery men defending their guns, Union 
officers firing their pistols, and the men their rifles; now 
using their bayonets, now clubbing their muskets, now 
leaping on the cannon and waving their hats. The in- 
fantry in the works beyond the fort, seized with a panic, 
left their coats and spades in the trench where they had 
been working, and disappeared for the time through the 
woods in the rear. 

At this moment when the center was occupying the 
lunette, and the right and left wings of the regiment were 
curving about it, shots from the rear added to the in- 
tense excitement. There were thrilling cries of "Stop that 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY QI 

firing- in the rear! For God's sake don't kill your own 
men!" Then came the rally of the enemy to the breast- 
works behind the lunette, and the falling to the ground of 
our men in a semi-circle about the fort. An enfilading fire 
of the enemy's batteries far to the right and left, mistaken 
by those who came later on the field as coming from the 
harmless lunette, and the continuous rifle shots from the 
concealed infantry twenty yards away, could not drive the 
regiment from its exposed position, or weaken its determi- 
nation to see that those guns never again come into the 
hands of the original owners. 

In the course of time men in the other brigades and 
divisions of the Twentieth Corps charged gallantly up the 
hill, where the First Brigade was lying, but none were ex- 
posed to the shots of the now silenced guns, and no hand 
touched them again all that long afternoon, though several 
brave men of the Second Brigade and one or two of the 
Second Division fell in making the attempt. 

As evening approached those who could extricate them- 
selves without crossing what might be called a dead line, 
were moved a little to the left, where a repast of crackers, 
dinner and supper combined, was partaken, while a large 
number under command of Captains Carson, Meredith, 
Scott and other line officers, aided by officers and men 
from the First and other brigades, protected the captured 
guns. Subsequently Captain Carson was recalled and 
ordered to take the fifty men of Company G still left and 
report to an ofiicer in Colonel Coburn's command, who, 
with one hundred and fifty men detailed from regiments 
of the Second Brigade, was to draw the captured cannon 
from the lunette under cover of the darkness. The firing 
from both sides continued after night, three or four times 



92 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

swelling into what might be called a volley, but the ex- 
trication of the four Napoleon twelve pounder brass pieces 
from the fort, was accomplished with little loss, and before 
midnight the Confederates had evacuated their works and 
all was quiet. 

Personally it matters but little to the survivors of the 
Seventieth Indiana who felt in their faces the hot breath of 
the battery as it made its last discharge, that others claim 
the credit of silencing its guns, yet when they think of their 
comrades who sleep on that hillside, they utter a solemn 
protest in behalf of those whose voices are stilled forever. 
An officer who led the advance of the Second Division and 
came on the field after all the artillery men had vanished 
from the scene, reported to General Geary, "We moved 
steadily forward until within fifteen yards of the battery 
when I ordered the regiment to halt and lie down. The 
position was one of extreme peril, but we held it from 
12:30 P. M. till night." Whereupon the General com- 
manding this Division reported to General Hooker, to say 
the least not very grammatically, that this body of troops 
had the honor of "leading and forcing its way through the 
jaws of death till they had their hands upon the guns." 

General Hooker was close in rear of the compactly 
massed assaulting column, so no subordinate General was 
needed there, and if the General of the Second Division, 
while other troops were silencing the battery, had been on 
time and led his command over the deserted breastworks 
in pursuit of the flying enemy, there would have been glory 
enough to supply the whole Corps, and no necessity would 
have arisen for him to claim the capture of guns already 
silenced. His action was that of a sportsman, who would 
stop to pick up and gloat over game a hunter in front had 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY 93 

dropped, instead of pushing through the woods and cap- 
turing his own prey. Alas, many a man of the Seventieth 
Indiana tossed in distress through the night as he lay on 
the ground, forgetting any honor that might come from 
the taking of a little lunette, in the awful loss of his com- 
rades and in the thought of the great victory that might 
have been achieved. 

"For of all sad words of tongue or pen. 

The saddest are these, 'It might have been.' " 

One has only to read the modest report of Colonel John 
Coburn commanding the Second Brigade, Third Division, 
who was on the field and had far more to do with holding 
and extricating the guns after they were captured than the 
commander of the Second Division, to discover what a 
wide difference there is in men. Not to mention the loss 
sustained on that day by other regiments of the Third 
Division, the mo'cality of the Seventieth Indiana alone 
exceeded by more than thirteen per cent that of all the 
twenty regiments and two batteries combined of the Sec- 
ond Division. A sad testimony, yet eloquent for the truth. 

The historian Gen. J. D. Cox states the following: 
"The guns remained between the armies till night, when 
they were taken and brought off by a detachment of the 
Fifth Ohio (Second Division) under Colonel Fitzpatrick." 
To which Captain Frank D. Baldwin, now Captain of Fifth 
Infantry, U. S. A., then Captain in the Nineteenth Michi- 
gan, replies: "It is a fact that some detachment of troops, 
probably the Fifth Ohio, did come up, as above stated, and 
bring the guns off. The men who had captured them be- 
ing fully engaged in caring for their dead and waunded 
comrades, did not notice that the guns w^re being taken 



94 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

away at the time, as it was not thought for a moment that 
this detachment had come for any other purpose than to 
assist in caring for the wounded and dead." No wonder 
General Coburn when his attention was called to General 
Cox's statement exclaimed, "In reading some of the ac- 
counts of army history of which I supposed from my per- 
sonal presence and participation I had some knowledge, I 
have been led to doubt my personal identity, and to believe 
that I must have been laboring under a hallucination while 
the events related were transpiring before my eyes." Then 
in his usual generous way he added, "But what matters it 
who did it! We all helped; we gained the day; we sus- 
tained the great cause." Still let the fallen again bear 
mournful witness, so that history may not be a black and 
cruel lie. The loss that day of the Fifth Ohio was killed 
three, wounded twelve. Of the Seventieth Indiana killed 
twenty-six, wounded one hundred and thirty 

Lieutenant Grubbs: "The Twentieth Corps was massed 
that Sabbath noon for an assault upon the enemy's works. 
The assault was ordered by the Third Division, General 
Butterfield, to be supported by the First and Second Divis- 
ions. The First Brigade, Third Division, consisting of the 
Seventieth Indiana, One Hundred and Second Illinois, 
Seventy-ninth Ohio, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illi- 
nois, and One Hundred and Fifth Illinois were massed by 
regiments in the order named for the assault. They were 
to be supported on the right and left by the Second and 
Third Brigades of the Division. In this order the assault 
was made, down a hillside, into a valley across an open 
field along which ran a roadway, up a wooded ridge, to a 
hill crowned with a redoubt, from which four guns poured 
into our ranks shot and shell. With our ranks thinned by 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY 95 

the deadly fire, and broken somewhat by the rough 
ground, with a wild yell, and without a halt we reached the 
summit of the hill, dropped to the ground as we saw the 
rebel gunners in the act of discharging their pieces in our 
faces, then springing to our feet, in a moment we were over 
the earthworks among the guns and they were ours. 

'Men from several of the regiments of the Brigade en- 
tered the redoubt, and their dead and wounded lay on or 
near the works and among the guns. No one regiment 
may claim the honor of the assault and the capture, but 
that it belongs to the First Brigade, Third Division, there 
can be no question. Men, especially of the Second Bri- 
gade, (General Coburn's) came to our aid, and all that long 
and terrible afternoon they helped us to hold these guns, 
else we would have been compelled to rehnquish them. 

"These facts are clear. First: No other troops except a 
thin skirmish line were in front of the First Brigade, Third 
Division, as it adva^xced to the assault. Everything was 
clear in front, and there was not an obstacle to interfere 
with our progress until we came within range of the 
enemy's fire. Second: From the time the advance was 
commenced no halt was made, except for a moment, until 
we were in the enemy's works. Our line was not fifteen feet 
from the embrasures when the guns were discharged in 
our faces. Third: The guns were silenced then and not 
another shot did they fire that afternoon. Fourth: From 
that moment those guns were not out of our possession. 
We could not drag them away, but we could and did hold 
them. We repelled assaults made to recapture them. 
We lay for all that long afternoon clinging to those guns 
under so hot a fire that to raise head or hand was an invita- 
tion to a rebel bullet. The fact is, our commanders in the 



96 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

rear, and the men sent in by them after our assault, did not 
know we had taken and were holding those guns, but sup- 
posed our assault had failed, and certain regiments from 
the Second Division that were sent in an hour or more 
after we had captured them, came up the hill and went 
back faster than they came, and yet claimed the capture, 
because some of their men remained with us and helped us 
hold them until the end came." 

J. L. Ketcham: "We formed in line of battle on a hill 
in a beautiful grove of large trees. Word was whispered 
down the line, 'Fix bayonets.' The order was obeyed 
quietly. The importance of the command seemed to be 
appreciated. Some of the boys told their comrades what 
word to send home 'if anything happened.' 

"It was high noon. I recollect looking at my watch and 
saying that my folks at home were just returning from 
church where they had doubtless remembered me in their 
prayers. 

"I had no sense of danger in that battle. My ambition 
was to be the first on the enemy's breastworks. At the 
next battle I was not quite so ambitious. 

"Being Sergeant Major I could 'form in line' anywhere. 
so I selected the extreme left of the regiment, as that posi- 
tion seemed nearest the supposed line of the enemy. I say 
'supposed' because we soldiers did not know where the 
enemy was. We only saw a hill opposite our hill and an 
open field between the two hills. The enemy's hill was 
covered with a dense thicket. There was no firing; we 
could only surmise what was proposed. We slipped quiet- 
ly down the hill. The first sound that broke the stillness 
was the ringing voice of our Colonel: 'Cheers for Indi- 
ana.' Then such a shout and a rush! 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY 97 

"Being on the extreme left and a good runner, I kept a 
little in advance; remember looking along the line and 
noticing how straight it kept, notwithstanding all were run- 
ning at full speed — no better line on dress parade. When 
we reached the thicket we pushed up as fast as the obstruc- 
tions would admit. The enemy's. artillery opened fire while 
we were crossing the open field, and the sound indicated 
that the right of the regiment faced the guns. 

"After I entered the thicket I noticed nothing until I 
found myself on the enemy's breastworks. Evidently these 
breastworks protected rebel infantry supporting their artil- 
lery. But where were the infantry? I stood some 
moments wondering what had become of them. I could 
see every evidence of their having been there; their fires 
were burning for cooking; their haversacks and knapsacks 
were there. I thought I could hear them stampeding 
down the hill. The breastworks were in a semicircle and 
obstructed my view. Why did not our boys come? I 
shouted 'Come on!' Then I realized that I was alone and 
that my comrades had been drawn by the sound of the 
cannon to the right. I hastened in the same direction to 
shout my discovery. The thicket was dense. I could 
only see a few feet ahead of me. Before I made much 
headway the enemy's infantry rallied and opened on us a 
deadly fire. At that moment there came to me a keen 
sense of disappointment. I can never forget it. We 
would have won a glorious victory that day had not the 
sound of the cannon drawn the regiment toward the 
enemy's artillery and away from their infantry breastworks, 
which they briefly abandoned, and which we ought to have 
occupied. However, we obeyed instructions. We cap- 
tured the guns. The Second Division supporting our left 



98 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

should have started when we did and swept over the breast- 
works." 

Wm. Sharpe: "In charging up that hill our Company 
C happened to be so located in line as to go directly into 
the battery. When we were nearing the summit the ar- 
tillery made their last shot, and the guns were so close to us 
as to blow the hats off our heads, but without halting we 
were instantly inside the fort." 

J. C. Bennett: "We advanced in common time trailing 
arms till we came to an open field, and then commenced 
the double quick, while the shot and shell were coming 
thick and fast. When within a few feet of the breastworks 
we were ordered to fall down, and the next moment the 
guns fired over our heads. Then we were up and in the 
fort, taking four twelve pounder brass guns, with several 
prisoners. Here I saw a rebel hit one of our men over the 
head with a swab-stick, and Sergeant Thralls hit the rebel 
over the head with the butt of his gun. Later I saw a 
color bearer of one of the Illinois regiments roll up his 
flag, when Wm. Barnes of our company said, 'Let me have 
it.' Taking it he stuck the flagstaff in the parapet over the 
cannon, thus having it displayed without danger to life, for 
the sharpshooters were picking off the men as fast as they 
exposed themselves. Sergeant Thralls, thinking I suppose 
that Barnes was meddling with what was not his business, 
shouted, 'Get out of there or you will be shot.' " 

The Historian of Company D: "The advance of our 
assaulting column poured a heavy volley of musketry into 
the works, which struck down many of its defenders, yet 
those remaining continued resistance, some trying to re- 
load the guns, while others struck right and left 'with 
swab-sticks and hand-spikes, knocking our men down as 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY 99 

they mounted to the top of the parapet, and only yielding 
to force. During this heroic defense our regimental ban- 
ner-bearer was knocked backward off the works as he was 
attempting to plant the flag. Alonzo Greeson was 
knocked down and badly stunned, but was able to con- 
tinue in the fight, and was mortally wounded later. John 
Wilson parried a blow from a stalwart rebel who stood 
just within the parapet, and, reaching across, seized him 
by the collar and literally pulled him out of the works. 
J. F. Snow was probably the first to enter, and swinging 
his hat pushed to the middle of the redoubt, calling out, 
'Come on, boys; here they are!' He was instantly 
joined by H. C. Eaton and U. H. Farr, each using bayonet 
and bullet to vanquish their antagonists. Eaton stopped 
to reload his gun while Snow and Farr rushed out through 
the rear of the redoubt in pursuit of five of the enemy — 
all they saw escape. Just before the flying artillerists en- 
tered the breastworks the pursuers fired, but owing to the 
shifting smoke, did not see the result. E. Shaw, G. Cos- 
tin and V. Fletcher entered the works at nearly the same 
moment as the three just mentioned. Fletcher killed a 
rebel with the butt of his gun. Several of the enemy fell 
in a hand to hand contest among the guns inside the 
redoubt. Later in the day, when the firing from both sides 
over the captured guns was so hot that it was as much as 
one's life was worth to expose one's head to view, a 
rebel who had dropped down and had been feigning death 
from the first of the fight, jumped up and attempted to 
escape, but was shot by Sergeant M. Costin. Men of 
the -company remained with and in defense of the captured 
guns till they were pulled out of the works, after the rebel 
army retreated." 



100 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

Lieutenant W. R. McCracken: "After the Seventieth 
Indiana and the brigade of which it was a part had taken 
the battery and were holding it under a terrible fire from 
the enemy, a musketry fire was poured into them from 
the rear. Colonel Harrison ordered me to see what the 
firing meant. I found that it came from a body of our 
own men belonging to the Second Division, who were 
behind some timber. I told them to stop firing or the 
First Brigade would have to retire from the works they 
had taken and were holding. The firing was stopped, but 
by the time I was back to my command it began again. 
Colonel Harrison then directed me to go back and hunt 
up General Butterfield, who commanded the Third Di- 
vision, and tell him of the firing from the rear, and that 
the Brigade would have to fall back if it was not stopped. 
I could not find Butterfield, but found General Williams, 
commanding the First Division, and inquired for General 
Butterfield and told him what I wanted. General Williams 
said he did not know where General Butterfield was, but 
told me where to find General Hooker, who, on being 
informed, spurred his horse and rode rapidly to the place 
where the white star troops lay, and the firing ceased." 

Captain Meredith: "It seemed scarcely a minute from 
the time we started until we had charged up the enemy's 
hill and were among them. To whom belongs the honor 
of first jumping over the parapet I cannot say, but this 
I know, that Company E struck that battery square in 
the face, and that its last discharge was right over our 
heads, almost in our faces. I remember that after the 
gallant Confederates had done their best, one brave fellow 
would neither run nor surrender, but stood there laying 
about him with his ramrod. I had fired the last two 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY lOI 

shots of my revolver at him and had begged him to sur- 
render, but his only reply was a swinging sweep of his ram- 
rod, which was dodged. Then a hand reached over my 
shoulder, somebody said, 'Captain, let me at him,' a pistol 
was fired close beside me, and turning I saw Colonel Mer- 
rill, smoking revolver in hand. In a few minutes the gun- 
ners were overcome, and the battery and the position were 
ours. 

"In the charge up the hill I had lost my cap. While we 
were cheering over the capture of the guns, Lieutenant 
Colestock jumped up on one of them and waved his cap 
and cheered. Then noticing I was bareheaded, he leaped 
down, picked up a cap from the ground, placed it on my 
head and began cheering again. A moment later he re- 
ceived the shot which in a few days terminated his life. 

"And now while wounded men are being cared for, 
while prisoners are being taken to the rear, while there is 
great jubilation and enthusiasm among the victors, occurs 
one of those awful inexphcable errors, one of those fearful 
mistakes, one of those real horrors of war, so calculated 
to unnerve the bravest and to demoralize, for the time 
being, the best drilled and disciplined troops. A second 
Federal line of battle, advancing to the support of the first, 
comes crashing through the brush in the rear. At the 
same instant the Confederates having been rallied and 
re-formed in another line of works, pour a deadly volley 
into the ranks of the brave men who are cheering over the 
guns they have captured. The second line of Federals, 
partially encountering the rebel fire, deliver a volley and 
the soldiers of the first line, who had led the charge, who 
had driven the enemy and captured the guns, are literally 
caught between two fires. The scene — the terror of the 



I02 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

moment is beyond description. The cry went up: 'Our 
own men are firing into us.' When the panic was at its 
greatest, one or two officers who were in the captured 
redoubt shouted the command, 'Lie down!' and about one 
hundred and fifty men crouched behind the earthworks 
containing the guns, and began skirmishing with the 
enemy. While we were lying there Captain H. M. Scott 
came to me and we looked over the situation together. 
We agreed it was best to stay there and hold the guns in 
case the enemy tried to retake them by sortie. According- 
ly I took command of the force to the right of the lunette. 

"About nine o'clock we could see by the light of burn- 
ing brush the Confederates climbing over the breastworks 
and forming for an attack. Word was passed along to 
reserve fire for the command. They advanced cautiously 
within a few yards of the guns, when the command, 'Fire!' 
was given, every rifle rang out, and at the same time the 
advance guard gave a yell. That yell was taken up by our 
forces in the rear and the Confederates broke and ran, evi- 
dently thinking Hooker's whole Corps was 'up and at 
'em,' And that was the end of the battle of Resaca." 

Captain Carson: "After the capture of the battery Com- 
pany G occupied a position to the left and a little to the 
rear of lunette, where we guarded the guns that afternoon 
and kept the rebels behind their works by constant firing. 
Other regiments and brigades followed us in quick suc- 
cession, but none went beyond the established lines we 
were holding before their arrival. I well remember some 
of the regiments opened fire in our rear, exposing us for 
some time to a double danger. Charge after charge was 
made during the evening, but no one went farther' than 
did the assaulting column. Many men from other regi- 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY 103 

ments, however, took positions with us during the even- 
ing and assisted in guarding and holding the captured 
guns. 

"Late in the afternoon, as there seemed to be enough 
troops to hold the line, Colonel Harrison quietly passed 
the word for those who could to retire to the rear, for the 
purpose of drawing rations, since we had been marching 
and fighting all day without anything to eat. As the com- 
mand did not reach my company, Colonel Harrison sent 
for me about sunset and said that the officers of the Twen- 
tieth Corps had been consulting together on a plan to 
remove the guns from the lunette after dark. He stated 
that he believed I understood the situation as well as any- 
one, so he would detail my company to report to Colonel 
John Coburn soon after dark, who would have command 
of two hundred men equipped for cutting through the 
lunette and for pulling the guns down the hill into our 
lines. He said also: 'I claim for the regiment the honor 
of having captured those cannon, for the rule is that the 
column first entering the works and seizing and holding 
a position beyond which no one passed is entitled to the 
credit. I reported, as ordered, with fifty-five men, assisted 
to repulse the enemy three different times while we were 
at work, and the removal of the guns was successfully ac- 
complished before midnight." 

Captain B. L. Ridley, C. S. A., of General Stewart's 
staff, quite naturally does not appreciate General Sherman, 
yet in the Confederate Veteran of January, 1897, giving 
his experience in this battle, says: "There was one place, 
though, where Sherman, had he been the able general 
many supposed, would have taken some of Johnston's 
glory from him. The only time he ever got Johnston ap- 



104 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

parently in 'a nine hole' was at Resaca, on May fifteenth, 

1864." 

Carter L, Stevenson, Major General: "Corput's bat- 
tery was placed in position at the only available point. It 
had hardly gotten into position when the enemy hotly en- 
gaged my skirmishers, driving them in and pushing on to 
the assault with great impetuosity. So quickly was all 
this done that it was impossible to remove the artillery." 

J. B. Hood, Lieutenant General: "Puring the attack 
on General Stevenson a four-gun battery was in position 
thirty paces in front of his line, the gunners being driven 
from it, and the battery left in dispute. The army with- 
drew that night, and the guns without caissons or limber 
boxes were abandoned to the enemy, the loss of Hfe it 
would have cost to withdraw them being considered worth 
more than the guns." 

In his report on giving up command at Atlanta, J- E. 
Johnston, General: "We lost no material in the retreat 
except the four field pieces mentioned in the accompany- 
ing report of General Hood." 

James H. Turner, Indiana Military Agent: "I met Gen- 
eral Butterfield the next morning on the battlefield, before 
the dead were collected for burial. He told me to say to 
Governor Morton and the people of Indiana, 'That the 
Seventieth Regiment has done its whole duty. Not a man 
from the Colonel down flinched, but marched up to the 
breastworks and over. One gunner was shot in applying 
the match.' " 

The following is an extract from a letter said to have 
been picked up the day after the battle, which, of course, 
never reached its intended destination: "The Yankees 
charged my battery and captured two sections. It was a 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY 105 

daring exploit. They threw themselves into the fort, as 
unconscious of danger as so many ducks into a pond. It 
was Hooker's command we had to fight here, or else the 
battery would never have been taken. They all wore a 
star. Your husband unto death, 

"M. V. CORPUT." 

Z. S. Ragan, Major Seventieth Indiana: "A detail of 
three hundred men was made from the First Brigade and 
placed under my command, with orders to collect the 
arms, accoutrements, ammunition, artillery, etc., and turn 
them over to the Ordnance of^cer at Resaca. Being limited 
as to time it was impossible to make a thorough search, 
yet I turned over and took a receipt for four twelve-pound 
pieces of brass artillery, nine hundred small arms and fifty 
thousand rounds of ammimition. The wagons arriving in 
advance of me, had been unloaded before my arrival, but 
were estimated to contain a similar number of small arms 
and sixty thousand rounds of ammunition. I could not 
obtain a receipt for these, as I was unable to count them." 

The sixteenth of May was a sad day for our regiment. 
Twenty-six of our number had sacrificed their lives, and 
one hundred and thirty had been seriously wounded, 
many mortally, in this Sabbath day's "baptism of fire." It 
was a strange grave by which the surviving members stood. 
It was six feet long and sixty wide. Into this, side by side, 
with blankets for winding sheets, were lowered the forms 
of those who had just died for their country. Evergreen 
branches were tenderly dropped on the sleeping patriots, 
to break the fall of the clods, and as a token that their 
sacrifice would ever be green in the memory of their com- 
rades. With heads uncovered the mourners gathered 



Io6 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

about the grave. The Captains of the companies cast in 
the first earth, and the Chaplain prayed that the sad tidings 
might not crush the hearts of the mothers, the widows and 
the orphans. The sinking sun closed the mournful day, 
and the dead were left to sleep in their glory, while to the 
living remained the stern duty of pursuing through the 
night the retreating battalions of the enemy. 

General Orders No. 4. 

Headquarters Third Division Twentieth Corps. 

Resaca, May i6th, 1864. 
The Major-General commanding feels it a duty as well as 
a pleasure to congratulate the division upon its achievements 
yesterday. The gallant assault and charge of the First Bri- 
gade, capturing four guns in the enemy's fort; the support of 
this assault by a portion of the Second Brigade, the splendid 
advance of the Third Brigade on the left, with the glorious 
repulse it gave twice its force, proves the division worthy a 
high name and fame. Let every one endeavor by attention to 
duty, obedience to orders, devotion and courage to make our 
record in future, as in the past, such that the army and the 
country will ever be proud of us. 

By command of Major-General Butterfield. 

JOHN SPEED, 
Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Headquarters Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 
In the field near Cassville, Ga., May 20, 1864. 
General — In obedience to your orders, I have the honor to 
submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment 
in the operations of our forces from the 13th to the 19th in- 
clusive: 

On the 13th I moved about four miles from Snake Creek 
Gap, having the advance of the brigade, and under orders 
from you formed line of battle on the Resaca road and moved 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY 107 

up to the crest of the ridge, connecting on the right with 
the forces under the command of General McPherson, and 
having on my left one regiment of our brigade (One Hundred 
and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry), which, with my 
regiment, constituted our front line, and was placed by you 
under my command. Skirmishers were thrown out to cover 
the front of the line, and every preparation made for a proper 
advance when the order should be received. Almost imme- 
diately after we had taken position, the line on our right 
(General McPherson) was advanced and soon became en- 
gaged with the enemy, but suffered no loss. About 4 P. M., 
by your orders, our line was advanced, changing direction 
gradually to the left, and, having emerged from the timber, 
was massed on the left of General Harrow's line, who was 
still skirmishing with the enemy. Shortly after dark we 
again changed position, relieving the regular brigades of 
the Fourteenth Army Corps. My regiment was here located 
on the right of our brigade line and along the crest of a hill, 
with a meadow of about six hundred yards in width in front 
and extending from the base of the hill occupied by me to a 
hill opposite, which was strongly fortified and occupied in 
force by the enemy. As soon as day dawned on the 14th 
inst., a sharp fire was opened by the rebel sharpshooters on 
my skirmishers, which was kept up quite briskly during the 
day, inflicting some loss on my regiment. Early in the day 
of Saturday, the 14th inst., instructions were received from 
your headquarters that we would be ordered to assault the 
works in our front at some time during the day, and orders 
were also given by you to strengthen the line. In compliance 
with the order, I deployed Company D of my regiment. Cap- 
tain Tansey, relieving the skirmishers under Captain Carson, 
who had been placed upon the line the preceding night, and 
a few hours subsequently communicated to Captain Tansey 
an order received from your headquarters to advance his 
skirmishers, which was promptly, though cautiously done, 
the men availing themselves of such meager shelter as the 
open field afforded. About i P. M., and while our line was 



I08 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

resting behind the crest of the hill to avoid a troublesome 
fire which the rebel sharpshooters continued to pour in upon 
the crest, the "Attention" was sounded in the regiment on my 
left and was repeated in my regiment. Not having received 
any intimation of what movement was intended, I called to 
Brigadier-General Ward, who at the moment approached my 
left, to know what the orders were. His reply was "The or- 
ders are to advance." Knowing that an assault on the works 
in our front had been in contemplation earlier in the day, and 
supposing that the order involved such an assault, or at least 
that it involved an advance until a halt was ordered by the 
brigade commander, I put my regiment in march when the 
regiment on my left moved and passed over the crest of the 
hill, down its slope to a fence at its base, where I had pre- 
viously instructed my officers to halt for a moment to reform 
their line, as they would necessarily be much broken in pass- 
ing down the hill, which was very steep in some places. Un- 
der the cover of the fence I halted, and passed an inquiry to 
my Major, who was on the left, to know whether the One 
Hundred and Second Illinois was still advancing with me. 
His answer was that this regiment had halted on the crest of 
the hill. After some time I was given to understand by one of 
the brigade staff, calling to me from the summit of the hill, 
that it was not intended that I should pass the hill, but that I 
should have halted on the crest, which had not been previously 
explained to me. By retiring the men singly or in small 
squads, I was able without further casualties to resume our 
former line behind the crest of the hill. My losses during 
the day were as follows: On the skirmish line, killed, enlisted 
men, i ; wounded, enlisted men, 3; in advancing over the crest 
of the hill to our supposed assault, killed, enlisted men, 2; 
wounded, enlisted men, 10; wounded, Lieutenant Martin, 
Company I, slightly in the leg. During the night of Satur- 
day, the 14th inst., under orders, I constructed, with the as- 
sistance of Lieutenant Gilchrist and brigade pioneers, a line 
of rifle pits along the front of my line, and had moved in^at 
daylight four companies to occupy them as sharpshooters and 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY IO9 

watch the enemy, when we were suddenly reHeved by another 
brigade and marched around to a new position on the left of 
the Fourteenth A. C. In our new position we were informed 
that our brigade, supported by the other brigades of our di- 
vision, was expected to assault the enemy's rifle pits, and 
without delay our brigade was formed in column of battalions 
in order of rank. My regiment leading, passed from the crest 
of an entrenched ridge, occupied by our forces, across an 
open field in the valley and up a steep and thickly wooded 
hill to the assault of the enemy's breastworks, whose strength, 
and even exact location, was only revealed by the line of fire 
which, with fearful destructiveness, was belched upon our ad- 
vancing column. I moved my men at double quick, and, with 
loud cheers, across the open space in the valley in order 
sooner to escape the enfilading fire from the enemy's rifle pits 
on our right, and to gain the cover of the woods, with which 
the side of the hill against \v^hich our assault was directed, was 
thickly covered. The men moved on with perfect steadiness, 
and without any sign of faltering up the hillside and to the 
very muzzle of the enemy's artillery, which continued to belch 
their deadly charges of grape and canister until the gunners 
were struck down at their guns. Having gained the outer face 
of the embrasures, in which the enemy had four 12-pounder 
Napoleon guns, my line halted for a moment to take breath. 
Seeing that the infantry supports had deserted the artillery 
I cheered the men forward, and, with a wild yell, they entered 
the embrasures, striking down and bayoneting the gunners, 
many of whom defiantly stood by their guns till struck down. 
Within this outer fortification, in which the artillery was 
placed, there was a strong line of breastworks which was con- 
cealed from our view by a thick pine undergrowth, save at 
one point, which had been used as a gateway. This line was 
held by a rebel division of veteran troops, said to be of Hood's 
command. When we first entered the embrasures of the outer 
works, the enemy fled in considerable confusion from the 
inner one, and had there been a supporting line brought up in 
good order at this junction, the second line might easily have 



no THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

been carried and held. My line having borne the brunt of 
the assault, it was not to be expected that it could be reformed 
for the second assault in time. The enemy in a moment ral- 
lied in rear of their second line, and poured in a most destruc- 
tive fire upon us, which compelled us to retire outside of the 
first line to obtain the cover of the works. At this point 
some confusion was created among our forces in and about 
the enemy's works (several of our battalions in rear of me 
having come up) by a cry that the enemy was flanking us. 
This caused many to retire down the hill, and had for a time 
the appearance of a general retreat. I strove in vain to rally 
my men under the enemy's fire on the hillside, and finally 
followed them to a partially sheltered place behind a ridge 
on our left, where I was engaged in separating my men from 
those of other regiments and reforming them preparatory to 
leading them again to the support of those who still held the 
guns we had captured, w^hen I was informed that General 
Ward was wounded, and w^as ordered to assume command of 
the brigade and reform it, which duty I discharged, and then 
urgently asked General Butterfield for permission to take it 
again to the works we had carried and still held, and bring ofif 
the guns we had captured. This was refused, and by his 
order the brigade was placed in a new position on a hill to 
the left of the point at which we had assaulted, to assist in 
repelling an attack made by the enemy. To sum up the ac- 
count of the day's fight, I will add that detachments from my 
regiment and, I believe, from each of the other regiments of 
the brigade, held the rebels from re-entering and taking the 
guns we had captured, until they were brought ofif at night 
by a detail from the First and Second Brigades. I would re- 
spectfully call your attention to the following points: First, 
my regiment entered the enemy's works in advance of all 
others, and my colors, though not planted, were the first to 
enter the fort; second, the enemy's lines were not penetrated 
at any other point than where we entered, although, assaulted 
by other troops on the left; third, my regiment, being in ad- 
vance, and having to bear the brunt of the assault, accom- 



IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY III 

plished all that could have been required of them in entering 
the works and driving the enemy out. The work of carrying 
the second line of defense belonged to the support which fol- 
lowed me. The day following the battle my regiment, to- 
gether with our whole brigade, remained on the battlefield, 
burying our own and the rebel dead, and collecting abandoned 
arms and other property. Leaving the battleground about 5 

P. M. of the i6th, we rejoined the division at Mill. In 

the engagement with the enemy near Cassville on the 19th 
inst., my regiment was under quite a heavy fire of shell, but 
suffered no loss. I append a list of killed and wounded in 
my regiment, which shows twenty-nine men killed, four offi- 
cers and one hundred and forty men wounded. Total, one 
hundred and seventy-three. 

I desire, in conclusion, to acknowledge the gallantry of my 
officers and men. Though njver before under fire, they have 
the testimony of the veteran foe they overcame that they bore 
themselves with conspicuous courage. I could not, of course, 
observe every individual act of gallantry on the part of my 
company officers, but must commend to your notice the fol- 
lowing as especially worthy of mention for their determined 
and successful eflforts to hold the captured guns: Captain 
Wm. M. Meredith, Captain H. M. Scott, Lieutenant M. L. 
Orr, Captain P. S. Carson, Captain H. M. Endsley, Lieutenant 
Wm. C. Mitchell, Lieutenant E. B. Colestock. Captain Tan- 
sey, who was severely wounded, also bore himself most gal- 
lantly. Lieutenant C. H. Cox, Acting Adjutant, was con- 
spicuous for his coolness and his efforts to rally the men. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Merrill and Major Regan did their whole 
duty, and have need of no higher praise from me. Dr. Jen- 
kins A. Fitzgerald, assistant surgeon during all our series of 
operations^ was always found with his regiment, dressing the 
wounds of those who had fallen under the heaviest fire of the 
enemy, manifesting a thorough disregard of his own safety 
in his humane desire to give the wounded the promptest sur- 
gical relief. Rev, A. C. Allen, chaplain, deserves mention for 



112 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

his untiring labors night and day to reheve the wants and 
suffering of our wounded. 

I am, General, with the greatest respect, your obedient 
servant, 

BENJ. HARRISON, 
Col. Seventieth Indiana Vol. Inf. 
Brigadier-General W. T. Ward. 

Commanding First Brigade Third Division Twentieth 
A. C. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

MARCHING AND FIGHTING 

There was much satisfaction when men were detailed 
from the Seventieth Indiana to convey and deliver the 
captured cannon to the Ordnance officer, but the night 
march of the sixteenth and of the following day was made 
amid profound silence, for we were all thinking of our 
dead. 

On the seventeenth the regiment was where it could 
again hear the whizzing of bullets, and on the nineteenth 
approached Cassville. By some mistake the Brigade took 
the wrong road, and the troops, as J. M. Wills expressed it, 
"Were pressed up so close to the enemy that we were 
almost surrounded by Wheeler's cavalry. Orders came for 
us to march to the rear at trail arms and for no one to 
speak above a whisper." 

U. H. Farr describes the action of the Brigade after it 

had moved to the right and back a mile or more and saw 

demonstrations that indicated not only an attack by the 

cavalry but also by a heavy mass of infantry: "The word 

went like a flash along the line to throw up a barricade. 

Every fence rail, log, chunk and movable thing within 

reach was instantly appropriated to that purpose, and then 

the men set to work digging dirt with the bayonet, and 

scooping it up with frying pans, hands, or anything that 

could be put to that use, while a strong force was sent out 

in front to level all the fencing, that the advancing enemy 

might have no protection in the coming contest. 

"Meanwhile the dense columns of rebel gray, un- 
its 



114 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

checked by the torrent of shells from our two batteries, 
had reached the valley and formed in line, massed so as to 
crush all opposition. They were advancing slowly in the 
center, but strong bodies of men were being pushed out 
more rapidly from either flank, thus making it plain that 
they intended to envelop us. All of our men but the 
skirmishers were now called in, every man was given 
twenty rounds of cartridges extra, making sixty rounds 
each, and ordered to get ready for action. Cartridge and 
cap-boxes were unclasped and slipped to the front of the 
body so as to be convenient; the commands were given 
and passed along the lines to aim accurately and reserve the 
fire till the enemy were close at hand. 

"At this moment when within musket-shot of our posi- 
tion, the approaching mass of rebel troops seemed to be 
affected as if by a convulsion. Someone cried" out, 'Look 
to the right!' and there column after column came march- 
ing into view, facing in the same direction we were, their 
bright guns shining in the sun, the Stars and Stripes float- 
ing above them. The rebel hosts sullenly but rapidly re- 
tired to the wooded hill from whence they came, and after 
some fighting left Cassville in our hands." 

Ex-President Harrison, in a recent address, referred to 
this same wonderful scene: "The army of Sherman had 
been fighting in the chaparral, in the brush, so that it 
was a rare sight for a man on the right of a regiment to 
see the flag, and quite out of our experience to see the 
regiment next to us. We had the faith that Sherman had 
more men than just ourselves. We could occasionally 
hear the rattle of guns aiway off to the right or to the left, 
but one day when the army was advancing on Cassville we 
suddenly came out into one of the great meadows or savan- 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING II5 

nahs that stretch for miles along some of the smaller 
streams, and the whole great army, corps on corps, was 
revealed to us, banner after banner as it was kissed 
by the sunshine of the open field. From the center, far 
to the right and left, the distinctive corps, division, brigade 
and regimental colors appeared, and associated with each 
of these was the one flag that made the army one. A 
mighty, spontaneous cheer burst from the whole line, and 
every soldier tightened his grip upon his rifle and quick- 
ened his step. There was an inspiration in it. Our faith 
had been strengthened by the vision of those who fought 
with us for the flag." 

Visions of vast armies cannot extinguish one's interest in 
the individual who helps to make up the great host, so 
Farr continues: "While we were lying in the valley near 
Cassville, I took a walk in the quiet woods away from 
the camps; and when out quite a distance saw someone 
sitting on a log with his back to me. He had his head 
down as if in a deep study, one elbow resting on his knee, 
and his face in his hand. I sauntered on in that direction, 
and as I came nearer I thought I could recognize some- 
thing in the form that was familiar. Without thinking of 
what I was doing it for, I began to step lightly, and so 
drew quite near. Fnding it was an old friend, I reached 
a position at his back, where I could see what it 
was he was so attentively regarding. It was the picture of 
a fair young woman. I stood for quite a while looking at 
the spectacle. At last becoming ashamed of thus tres- 
passing on what was really a honeymoon scene, though one 
of the parties was hundreds of miles distant in her Indiana 
home, away from the noise and tumult of war and battle, 
I slapped the absorbed figure on the shoulder, at the same 



Il6 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

time speaking to him. He sprang to his feet. In re- 
sponse to the question, 'What are you doing?' he said, 'I 
was looking at a picture of my wife, the prettiest woman 
God ever made.' " 

At Cassville a letter was written by an officer to his 
sister, which, taken in connection with the above scene, 
shows that war reveals sharp contrasts. * * * "One 
of the most faithful men in the regiment was mortally 
wounded at Resaca, and died two days after the battle. 
You remember his wife and little child. My God, what 
a terrible thing war is! She must be very poor. Take ten 
or twenty dollars for me, and use it in some way for the 
benefit of the widow and the child." 

Shortly after came back an answer to this letter : 

"Your money is unspent, and you might have saved your 

sympathy. Mrs. heard the news of her husband's 

death on Friday, mourned his loss on Saturday, and con- 
soled herself by marrying a stay-at-home patriot on Sun- 
day." 

It takes Byron and Scott combined to do justice to 
the situation. "What a strange thing is man! and what 
a stranger is woman!" 

"Woman's faith and woman's trust. 
Write the characters in dust." 

J. M. Wills: ''After the enemy gave way at Cassville, 
we went into camp until the twenty-third, when we moved 
out and came up with the enemy, engaged him in fight 
for half a day, and lost several good men." 

J. L. Ketcham: "I was asleep in a fence corner the 
other day, when a shell burst near me. Oh, but they are 
wicked sounding things. They have an awful screeching, 
whining tone and seem to say, 'You I'm after, nobody else;' 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING 11/ 

or, as the darky said, 'Wha's dat nigga? Wha's dat nigga? 
I want dat nigga!' " 

U. H. Farr: "On the afternoon of the twenty-fifth of 
May it was manifest that a fight was imminent. Troops 
were hurrying forward, couriers dashing hither and thither, 
and there was a constant rattle of musketry in front, with 
an occasional stray ball coming back to where we were 
slowly marching in column to the front on the sides of 
the main road, in order that ordnance wagons and ambu- 
lances could have free passage. About three P. M. we 
were hurried forward more rapidly, each of the regiments 
of our brigade marching in column side by side at bat- 
talion front distance in order to be ready for instant use as 
support for Coburn's brigade in our front. The rebel 
line of battle could not be far away from the nearness 
of the artillery fire of the enemy, the supporting line faring 
about the same as the front line. Our line was thus 
pushed up close to the enemy, which resulted in consid- 
erable fighting, lasting till dark, the battle being known as 
Dallas Woods or Pumpkin Vine creek. 

"I had no gun this day, mine having been ruined by a 
rebel bullet, but I determined to keep close up and pick 
one up at the first opportunity. Henry C. Eaton was sick 
and his gun was turned over to some man of the company 
who had none, and Eaton was marching with me on the 
left of our company. As the line of battle was pushed 
closer and closer to the enemy, and the firing became 
deadly, Colonel Merrill, who was in command of the regi- 
ment, noticed us, and riding to us ordered us to stop in 
some place of safety (in some ravine we were passing), 
stating that we were without arms and there was no use of 
our endangering our lives. But that was not a part of 



Il8 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

our plan, so we did not stop, but as soon as he left us we 
moved on with the command. After some half hour he 
came back down the line again, and seeing us there, 
peremptorily ordered us to stop, and pointing out a large 
tree, ordered us to lie down there. We obeyed the order, 
but discussed the project of keeping close up and if we 
saw him again to hide; but we had noticed his eye flash 
forth some fire, a thing not common to him, and we finally 
decided that he meant that we should obey his order, and 
that in all probability he would punish us if we did not, so 
we sat still. After we stopped, our command did not move 
very far ahead, probably not more than half a mile, where 
we found it early next morning. 

"While we were lying there we were treated to some 
of the scenes of the rear. I saw several men I knew from 
another regiment, one of whom had been a neighbor and 
schoolmate. He came rushing back, jumping down the 
slope quite lively, and I said, 'Hello, Jim, what's the hurry?' 
He checked his flight enough to say that in the advance 
he had fallen down and hurt his leg, and of course, being 
crippled, was hurrying to the rear ; but he was making good 
time for a cripple. Perhaps the wind from the enemy's 
shells and solid shots, which came with fearful velocity, 
was helping to force him along. 

"The second night, while everything was still and most 
of the men were asleep, the enemy's batteries opened on 
us and poured in a tornado of shell for about an hour, and 
as our batteries replied the din was terrific. The next day 
we moved a little to the right and put up a line of works. 
An old log cabin stood in a field some half-mile to the 
right and front, and was occupied by sharpshooters, who 
were doing much damage, but a cannon was brought to 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING II9 

the right of our regiment, and the old house was soon 
knocked to pieces and the sharpshooters fled for their Hves 
amid a shower of bullets from our skirmishers and the 
huzzahs of our line. 

"We often listened to the fighting to our right or left, 
first the cannonading, then a lull, then the hurrahing, some- 
times the shrill boyish rebel yell, sometimes the loud, full- 
voiced, deep-toned, far-sounding chorus of Northern men; 
then again the roar of cannon, the rattle of musketry, and 
the awful suspense to the Hsteners. If, as the noise grew 
feebler, we caught the welcome cheer, an answering shout 
ran along tO' the right or left. But if the far-off rebel yell 
told of our comrades' repulse, the silence could be felt. 

"About this time General Hooker was riding through 
his corps, and as he passed through the Third Brigade, the 
boys yelled 'Hardtack! Hardtack!' and as he came to our 
brigade he heard the same complaining cry. He went to 
Colonel Coburn and asked what it meant, and Coburn 
told him our two brigades were out of rations and had 
been for some time. There had been some mistake, per- 
haps; favoritism, perhaps, but be that as it may. Hooker 
saw that things were righted and we were soon gladdened 
with the sight of commissary wagons." 

On May twenty-seventh Wm. J. Rouse of Company F 
fell and the following tribute to his memory is by Lieuten- 
ant Grubbs. It will be read with moist eyes by his com- 
rades: 

Bill Rouse was his name. He belonged to "Co. F," 
"greasy F," the boys called it, not that it was literally and 
always greasy, but rather because in neatness and cleanli- 
ness it was not, in its early days, up to the high average 



I20 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

of the well-ordered regiment. He was the fat boy of the 
company, jolly, sturdy, awkward and slow of motion, with 
a round, good-humored, yet stolid face, pale blue, expres- 
sionless eyes, a nose that was a cross between a Roman and 
a pug. He was, perhaps, nineteen years old, a Shelby 
county boy; had " 'nlisted," he said, "becoz he liked Old 
Cap Ensley! the other boys were goin' " and he wanted "a 
hand in savin' the Guverment." 

He was not gifted nor clever, was a rude, unlettered, 
but not unmanly boy; brought up in poverty and in the 
woods, he had few ideas or aspirations above duty, but 
he had a large capacity for physical enjoyment, a nature 
that was bubbling over with good humor, a courage that 
was innate and marvellous and a readiness and willingness 
for duty and service that, tested again and again, was 
never strained and never failed. He was the butt of many 
a good-humored but rough joke; much merciless and even 
spiteful raillery was vented upon him., and many a private 
in the ranks and chevroned Sergeant and Corporal cursed 
"Bill Rouse" because they dared not curse anybody higher. 
Once, shortly after my assignment to the company, I inter- 
fered when I thought the rough jokes and ill usage ex- 
ceeded even the license of the camp, and shamed the big, 
bearded men who were the chief offenders, and after that 
Bill, wonderingly and hesitatingly took up with me, be- 
came my fast friend, my best man, my champion in the 
quarters. Thenceforward he swore by the "Little Loo- 
ten'nt," as he dubbed me, and would fight for me at the 
drop of a hat and drop it himself. Bill was a forager of no 
mean repute in an orderly regiment, and many a juicy 
piece of pork or freshly cured ham I afterwards found in 
my quarters that some wink of the eye or some artfully 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING 121 

dropped word told me I owed to Bill. Sometimes it was 
a fowl that had unwisely roosted too low, sometimes de- 
licious honey "snaked" from a gum securely hidden on 
the back porch of some loyal (?) Kentuckian. On such 
occasions I smiled and asked no questions. I knew it was 
Bill. Naturally Bill Rouse was not a success in drill. He 
was slouchy in walk, waddled around in ranks as clumsily 
as the performing bear, took all his time trying frantically 
to "catch step" and never knew where his gun was. 
Around him in the ranks was always confusion, "cussin' " 
and hilarity. He had difficulty in distinguishing "sup- 
port" from "right shoulder shift." When the command 
came, "order arms," he would nervously "present." He 
was always three motions behind in loading. So when 
"Company F" went out to drill. Bill was often given "fa- 
tigue duty" on a convenient stump where he could delight- 
edly see the "boys" "double-quick," "wheel," "form 
square," "lie down," "advance firing," etc., or with some 
comrades as luckless as himself he would be put in charge 
of a Corporal and made to "mark time" and go through 
the "manual." 

But on a dangerous picket post or a hot skirmish line. 
Bill Rouse was in his glory. There he seemed bubbling 
over with high spirit. He was utterly indififerent to dan- 
ger. Proximity to the enemy seemed to bring out the 
serenity and alertness of his nature. The whizz and zip of 
a minie ball was music to his ear. He would watch for 
a dangerous "Johnnie" as patiently as an Indian. A pufif 
of white smoke from the line in front, the glimpse of the 
"boy in gray" brought his Enfield to his shoulder like a 
flash. A moment it stood poised as his eye glanced along 
the barrel and then "look out, Johnnie, there's death in the 



122 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

air." When a truce was declared along the skirmish line 
and Yank and Johnnie came out of their burrows and ex- 
changed sharp compliments and good-humored repartee 
or traded rank Virginia for Uncle Sam's best coffee, Bill 
was the jolliest of the crew. Lounging upon his rifle pit, 
he could chaff the Johnnies to his own delectation and 
much to their and our amusement. Many a gem of rude 
wit and rough banter we then heard and enjoyed. Bill 
would roar out a boisterous challenge to out-knock, out- 
jump, out-shoot, out-wrestle, out-cuss, out-eat any Johnnie 
from old Jeff down, and then exuberantly laugh at his 
own conceit. Then suddenly changing to a most plaintive 
tone, with a suspicion of tears in his voice, he would cry 
out: "Say, Johnnies, why don't you'uns quit this foolish- 
ness? We'uns want to go home." 

When he had spent his rough pleasantry he would throw 
himself backward into his rifle pit, yelling as he went: 
"Hunt your holes. Johnnies, shootin's goin' to begin." 

Once upon a reserve picket post he lay down beside 
me and with the stars looking down on us, he began in his 
quaint, uncouth way to talk about the war. I can't tell 
nearly all he simply and earnestly said to me that night, nor 
frame it in his somewhat rude dialect, but it revealed to me 
that in the heart of this rude, unlettered boy there burned, 
upon a pure altar, the genuine fire of patriotism, that death- 
less love of home and country that has inspired the match- 
less deeds of the centuries. He could not have told what 
patriotism was, he knew nothing of constitutions or human 
rights, of Pilgrim or revolutionary fathers; he cared noth- 
ing for the woes of slavery; he had a natural antipathy for 
the negro, but he loved the flag; he hated a rebel and 
he was ready to die that the Union cause might triumph. 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING 123 

Very earnestly he said to me: "You won't believe it, Loo- 
ten'nt, but if 'twould end this thing I'd step out to-morrow 
morning and let the rebs put a dozen holes through me." 
I believe he meant what he said, and to-day I would match 
the instructive spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice of this 
unlettered boy against the most finished product of school 
or university. 

On the Atlanta campaign and to the hour of his death 
Rouse was always on duty. He was never known to 
answer "sick call," perhaps didn't even know the delights 
of "quinine and Dover's." He seemed impervious to dis- 
ease, bullets and exposure and, the boys said, even gray- 
backs couldn't make it pleasant for him. When it came 
my turn to take charge of the detail for picket or the skir- 
mish line, I always saw Bill's smiling face in the ranks. 
He would "swap" with any of the boys on such occa- 
sions. One day late in May or early in June, I cannot at 
this date be more accurate, I had charge of the skirmish- 
ers and Bill was on the front line. The opposing works 
were not far apart and the skirmish lines were pushed so 
close that safety lay in closely hugging the ground and 
the slightest exposure or want of caution meant death 
or painful wounds. The shots came hot and fast and 
vicious that day and they came to kill. Between the lines 
were open woods. About two o'clock that day I was skirt- 
ing the edge of the woods trying to inspect the skirmish 
line and detect any change in the situation. As I neared 
that portion of the line where Bill Rouse was stationed, I 
heard his voice above the scattering shots. The first 
words I could distinguish were: "You're afraid to, you 
cowardly reb !" 



124 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

"I ain't any more afraid than you are," came a voice from 
the rebel Hne. 

"Then why don't you stand out hke a man and gim'me 
a fair shot?" I heard Bill say. 

"Why don't you?" came back the answer. 

"I will if you'll gim'me a shot at you." 

"All right! Gim'me first shot?" 

"Yes." 

And then before I could realize what it meant or call a 
warning word, I saw Bill Rouse, clad in blue, gun in hand, 
rise up out of his rifle pit, step out, stand erect, pull back 
his coat from his broad breast and call out, "Shoot away." 
I saw a flash, a pufif of smoke, perhaps a hundred yards 
away; saw the figure in blue throw up one hand, quiver 
for an instant and then Bill Rouse sank down in his tracks. 
I was by his side in a flash, knelt down, tore open his shirt 
and saw at a glance that he was mortally hurt. His eyes 
looked bravely into mine, a faint smile flitted across his 
face, he tried to speak, gasped and was dead. We carried 
his body tenderly back into the hues. He was given a 
hasty soldier's burial in the woods and left to sleep. I sup- 
pose no one has ever found his grave, but what matters it? 
For I trust and believe that when, at last, the Great Father 
of us all gathers his jewels, Bill Rouse will be among the 
number. 

An ofUcer writes. May thirtieth: "Even if one has to 
remain quiet, the constant firing and the continued waiting 
exhaust body and spirit. Scarcely a night passes without 
an attack, and no words coined on earth can describe the 
terrific nature of such afTairs. One could hardly imagine 
that the bursting of all the fiends from the pit would be 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING 125 

able to create so fearful a confusion. I thought I had been 
in some terrible thunder-storms, but I feel now like David 
after he had taken the census, and was offered a choice of 
punishments; I should rather fall into the hands of God 
than of man. We are gaining very slowly. Indeed, our 
regiment occupies the identical ground we seized about a 

week ago." 

June sixth, J. M. Wills: "We went into camp near 
the foot of Lost Mountain. It rained almost daily, and 
we had to cut brush to sleep on in order to keep out of 
the mud and water. While in this camp we were short of 
rations, and the boys gathered waste corn around the 
mules' feeding places, and after washing, drying and parch- 
ing, ate it." 

Lieutenant Grubbs writes home, June seventh: We 
came into our present position yesterday afternoon at one 
o'clock, amid a beating rain, and from two o'clock until 
night worked hard on entrenchments. By dark we had 
strong and substantial breastworks. Batteries were placed 
in position, troops were disposed for battle and everythmg 
was admirably arranged to give a welcome and fitting re- 
ception to Johnston's army should it precipitate itself on 
our corps. We are now upon the extreme left of our army 
and somewhat detached, as we necessarily must be from 
the remainder, we are probably in more danger of an at- 
tack than any other portion of it. So we march a part of 
the day drive in their skirmishers, until we gam a good 
position, and then work like bees until we have strong 
breastworks to protect us. We had pretty heavy skir- 
mishing during the afternoon, but towards night it grew 
quiet This morning there are occasional volleys along 



126 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

the skirmish line, but as yet nothing indicates an engage- 
ment. 

"Since I wrote you last we have had a hard time. We 
were relieved in the center by the Fifteenth Corps on the 
second of June, and since that time have been marching 
and fighting every day. To add to our discomfort it has 
rained torrents every day, until the roads have grown 
frightful. For three days and nights we were wet to the 
skin, not a dry article of clothing on us; each night our 
beds were the wet and muddy ground, without even fires, 
lest we should discover our position to the enemy. I never 
knew what hardship was before. There is an intense mean- 
ing in that word now. How men can stand for week after 
week what we have stood, I confess was a mystery before 
this campaign commenced. But they do stand it cheer- 
fully and bravely. The only thing I have noticed 
that can disturb their equanimity and set them to grum- 
bling is short rations. Let men be all day and night on 
the skirmish line without a thing to eat, or work all day on 
entrenchments without even a cracker, and if the most 
patient and patriotic of them don't have something to say 
in regard to it, I am mistaken." 

A letter from J. L. Ketcham is dated Sunday morning, 
June twelfth: "In the woods three miles below Ackworth. 
Rain! Rain! Rain! I never saw the like. Thunder-storm 
after thunder-storm. Rain all night. It was nine o'clock 
this morning before it stopped long enough for me to 
crawl out (the only way to get out of these little tents) 
and make a cup of cofifee. We were ordered to pack up 
the other morning at daylight; just as we got ready, it 
commenced to rain, and we waited and waited for further 
orders all day in the rain. The hardest rain I ever saw 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING 127 

fell the other day when our regiment was on picket, but 
I'll give an account of the whole day. At daylight we were 
called up unexpectedly to be ready to march in ten min- 
utes. We were ready, and waited for two hours; couldn't 
take off our things to get breakfast. At dinner time we 
stacked arms, but couldn't leave ranks to get dinner. Rest- 
ing about an hour, we went several miles farther and put 
up our tents for the night. Just got them up when an 
order came for the whole regiment to go on picket. Then 
the rain came down by the bucketful, and constant firing 
was kept up all night. The supply train can't get up, and 
we are on half rations. I have seen fellows offer twenty- 
five and fifty cents for a hard tack. In passing a battery 
near us yesterday I saw a fellow from our regiment picking 
up a few grains of corn which a battery horse had left. We 
are having rough times, sure! It won't last long, though, 
and I don't mind it at all while I am well. 

"We haven't been under fire now for several days, 
though we can hear cannon now and then on our right. 
We were under fire almost a month every day from the 
tenth of May to the first of June, skirmishing or fighting. 
We had over eight hundred men for duty at Wauhatchie, 
and now haven't four hundred — half of us killed, wounded, 
and played out. And this, I'm afraid, is only the begin- 
ning." 

On June fourteenth. Lieutenant Grubbs: "We are mud- 
bound. Almost incessant rain for a week past has ren- 
dered the roads so near impassable that as unwieldy a body 
as an army can scarcely move at all. I wish you could 
have seen us in our camp, or rather stopping place, yester- 
day and day before. From morning to night there was 
scarce a moment's cessation of rain; it overflowed our 



128 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ditches and came streaming into our tents. Blankets, oil- 
cloths, clothes, and everything else were wet." 

Several letters refer to the affair at Golgotha or New 
Hope Church as an occasion when "The First Brigade went 
out to feel the enemy and got felt." J. M. Wills: "I 
heard General Butterfield tell our brigade commander that 
he wanted him to make a reconnaissance only, and let the 
right of his brigade rest on the road that ran out toward 
the enemy. The Seventieth was on the right and moved 
off at the command, but had not gone far until it found 
the enemy's pickets in their pits. Then came the order 
to charge double-quick, and with a Hoosier yell we went 
for them, and for some minutes it was hard to tell who 
would get in first, the rebs or the Yanks. In making 
that charge our regiment was thrown to the right of the 
road in an open field, and we pursued the enemy through 
that field and into a wood within three or four hundred 
yards of his breastworks, which were as strong as science 
and labor could make them. 

"When we came upon their abaftis and chcvaux dc frisc, 
which were almost impassable, we halted. In a few 
minutes the enemy began to pay us his respects with solid 
shot, and kept it up until nightfall. Orders came for every 
man to protect himself as best he could, so some lay flat 
upon the ground, some behind chunks and logs and some 
behind trees. We remained in that position for four long 
hours, and had a number killed, and all by solid shot from 
the battery. When night came we were relieved by a 
Michigan regiment, and, going to the rear, prepared some- 
thing to eat, then took up the march and were put to mak- 
ing works for our protection on the front line. I used 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING 129 

my bayonet to dig with, and others moved the dirt with 
boards." 

U. H. Farr: "At Golgotha, or New Hope Church, we 
were formed in line for an attack, and advanced across 
undulating fields into rather thin woods. There we found 
the rebel skirmishers in strong force, who fell back slowly, 
loading and firing deliberately. At each report one of our 
boys would fall. This was more trying to men's nerves 
than being in battle, for there shot could be returned for 
shot. When we came to where the bushes had been cut 
down, and could see the top of the enemy's works. Col- 
onel Harrison commanded his regiment to fix bayonets 
and said: 'Men, the enemy's works are just ahead of us, 
but we will go right over them. Forward! Double-quick! 
March!' Every man sprang forward with a yell, and we 
soon came to a dirt road, where a terrific volley was fired 
into us, from what we supposed was the reserved skir- 
mishers of the enemy. We saw the flash of their guns and 
dropped to the ground, so the volley did us but Httle 
harm. Then we were up and went forward with a rush and 
a yell across a little field into -another strip of heavy oak 
woods. When close up to the chevaux de frise the enemy 
opened on us from a battery, and continued to pour shot 
and shell into us for several hours. We would await a 
discharge from a cannon and instantly fire at the flash, 
knowing from what we had seen of their works before, 
that protecting sand-bags were arranged to fall as soon as 
the cannon sprang back from the port hole. We did exe- 
cution with their gunners, as was seen by the pools of 
blood where their guns stood when we occupied the works 
two days later, 

"We kept the fight going till it began to grow dusk, 



130 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

when the order was passed along the line to cease firing 
and we were relieved by the Nineteenth Michigan. About 
midnight we marched to the front again, going to the left 
and taking position, then gathered logs and built breast- 
works. As soon as daylight of the sixteenth came, the 
enemy's skirmishers poured in such a terrific fire that our 
skirmish line had to be reinforced. This skirmishing was 
the most severe we experienced at any time on the Atlanta 
campaign, and many of our men were killed or wounded. 
Both lines being heavy, the contest was more like a battle 
than a skirmish. Batteries, twelve guns in all, were placed 
in our breastworks, and the uproar caused by their dis- 
charge and by the shells sent from the enemy made the 
day long to be remembered." 

Not far from Marietta, June nineteenth, Ketcham writes: 
"We started on our journey again after the rebels, and on 
the afternoon of the fifteenth got into a fight. We ran 
on one of their strong forts, and how we ever got out 
again is wonderful. They had eight guns playing against 
our regiment. The shot and shell were terrible, but only 
some forty were wounded and a few torn all to pieces. 
Some had very narrow escapes. A bullet struck a spy-glass 
in Major Ragan's pocket and afterward a cannon-ball cut 
his belt in two, and only bruised him. One man had his 
haversack torn all to pieces, another his gun bent like a 
hoop. After dark we went back for ammunition. The 
men had nearly all shot their sixty rounds. After mid- 
night we went forward again and built breastworks. All 
day we fought behind our breastworks, and the rebels 
behind theirs. The skirmishers out in front did most of 
the fighting. We lost several wounded during the day. 
I was making a detail, when a ball passed under my chin 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING 131 

and struck a man right by me. I have a ball in my pocket 
now that hit me. It was a spent ball and didn't hurt. 

"Toward evening the rebels opened eight guns on us 
for about ten minutes, but did not hurt a man. Next day 
the rebels fell back, and we followed, passing through the 
fort. This fort was the strongest I ever saw. The rebels 
had cut down trees in front, and sharpened every limb, so 
that a rabbit could hardly have got nearer than ten feet. 
We flanked them, though, and they had to skedaddle. That 
day we had advanced in line of battle, but were not in 
the front line. Had a rest that night and all the next day, 
though it rained in torrents. 

"To-day is shower and sunshine, and we are encamped 
in an open field, the first time for nearly two months. Glad 
to get out of the thick woods, where we were nearly tor- 
mented to death by bugs, ants, scorpions, snakes and 
creeping things of every description. A black snake two 
feet long came crawling up by my side one day while I 
was lying in my tent. You better believe I jumped. One 
ten feet long was killed not far from where I was sleeping." 

J. M. Wills: "From the seventeenth of June to the 
twenty-first we slowly followed the retreating enemy, do- 
ing little but skirmish till we reached the base of Kenesaw 
Mountain. On the twenty-third we moved to the right 
through sparsely timbered ground nearly to the edge of a 
cornfield, on the opposite side of which, a few hundred 
yards distant, were the rebel works. We carried logs and 
rails through a field of dewberries, and the temptation was 
great to pick the fruit, even though the sharpshooters were 
doing their best to pick us off. With bayonets for picks, 
hands and messpans for shovels, we soon had a good 
strong Hne of works. The enemy came out on our right 



132 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

in front of the Twenty-third Corps and gave battle. Gen- 
eral Butterfield's batteries, which we were supporting, 
poured in shot and shell and the attack was soon over." 

An officer writes: "In the midst of battle, June twenty- 
seventh. A terrible fight is raging all along the line, but 
as it is made our duty to hold the center and prevent the 
enemy from breaking through, I can lie under the breast- 
works and beneath the flying balls and pencil a few lines to 
you. We have rumors of our repulse on the left, but no 
dependence can be placed on reports here, as every soldier 
has his mouth and ears full of them. 

"My experience leads me to believe that about one-fifth 
of the Confederates fight as well as our best troops, sur- 
passing us in bitterness and desperation, but on an average 
our soldiers are much superior to theirs. In numberless 
cases we have carried their works, but I have yet to learn 
of one attack upon us in which they have been successful. 

"It would be wise, however, to write little on this sub- 
ject, as we are in a position before which the enemy is 
supposed to be massing his forces, and we may not be able 
to hold our ground. It is hard to write, the battery we are 
supporting keeps up such an uproar, almost lifting one's 
scalp at each discharge. When the war ends I am going 
to retire to the wilderness every Fourth of July to pre- 
vent myself from hearing the hideous noise made by ex- 
ploding gunpowder. 

"Just as this point I had occasion to call out, Tut on 
your shirt and accoutrements, sir! This is no time to be 
looking for vermin.' One of the horrors of this kind of 
life is that the men's bodies and clothes are alive, and 
nothing can be done to relieve them, as they have no 
change of clothing and seldom have an opportunity to 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING I33 

bathe. The officer can escape the affliction, but the poor 
private drags his tormented carcass in utter hopelessness 
to the end of the campaign. 

"Every man from Colonel down to private is broken 
out horribly, and cannot enjoy a moment's rest for the 
intolerable itching. Such things may appear only disgust- 
ing to you, but I consider them as constituting the chief 
hardship of the soldier, and the man who endures them 
for his country is worthy of the highest respect." 

Again he writes, July first: "I had to laugh at Jane's 
prescription for my health, in which she tells me to have 
Jerry toast me a slice of bread, to take so much butter and 
such a quantity of tea, and a Httle cinnamon, and, if ap- 
proved, a pinch of ground cloves mixed in a bowl. Bless 
her kind, suggestive heart! Doesn't she know that from 
bread to bowl we are lacking, and that she might as well 
prescribe ice cream to be eaten from a golden goblet, three 
times daily? As for the pudding that we are to bake in a 
skillet, tell her that our only cooking utensils are a fruit 
can for coffee and a tin bucket in which Jerry fries the 
meat. The bucket Jerry stole. He 'wasn't gwine to hab 
everything stold from him and not have nothin' to cook 
in.' " 

U. H. Farr: "On July second an order came for the 
skirmishers to be called in and for the men to load and 
shoot from the works at the enemy's works, and this inces- 
sant fire was kept up for several hours. A little after mid- 
night on July third I was listening at the breastworks. The 
stillness was oppressive. The firing along the Hues had 
been continuous for many days, but now all at once an 
ominous quiet had fallen. Suddenly the report of a rifle 
rang out, and I heard a ball strike the rebel works plainly. 



134 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

A man near them cried out, 'Don't shoot, I'm coming!' 
Then for a few minutes everything was as still as if no hu- 
man being was within a thousand miles. Then came 
wafted across the cornfield the same voice, 'Where are you, 
Yank? I'm coming.' Then the voice of the man who 
shot, 'Here I am, lay down your gun and come on.' Then 
the reb : 'All right, I've laid it down. I'm coming !' After 
four or five minutes the reb called, 'Where are you?' and 
was answered, 'Here!' and then he spoke out loud and dis- 
tinct, 'Why don't you all go on and take possession of the 
works; there is no one in them. Our army left them hours 
ago?' 

"Soon the camp was in a bustle, fires were burning, 
breakfast was eaten, and before light a long line had 
climbed over the enemy's breastworks and were hurrying 
after the retreating foe. About a mile in rear of these 
works we came to a log church, and some prisoners we 
had taken told us that the day we fired from the works 
some of the bullets came that far and killed some men, 
showing that 6ur rifles would throw balls more than a mile 
with sufficient force to kill. 

"We were continually picking up stragglers who cam.e 
out of the thickets or ravines and surrendered, saying they 
had enough of the war, and that it was no use to fight any 
longer. One can easily imagine how this cheered us, for 
we saw the end coming, and the time approaching when 
soldier life would be over and we could enjoy our peace- 
ful homes. 

"A little before noon we came in collision with a rebel 
battery stationed on a hill about a mile distant. Battery 
I, First Michigan, was brought up and placed on an ele- 
vation near an old cotton gin, and our brigade was formed 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING 135 

just behind it, so as to act as support in case of attack by 
infantry. An artillery duel soon began, each side sending 
shells into the other as fast as possible. The men from our 
brigade were lying down some sixty feet behind the bat- 
tery, and the shells from the enemy's guns could be seen 
for a half mile or more before reaching us, coming gen- 
erally end over end. Many of them passed entirely beyond 
us and stirred up the musicians, cooks and all who made 
it a business to stay in the rear during a fight. Most of 
the shells fell, however, among the battery men or horses, 
or, passing them, dropped among the infantry. Occasion- 
ally a shell plowed under some of our boys who were lying 
down, threw them into the air, and emerged from the 
earth to burst in the rear. Things soon became exciting, 
for the enemy was getting the range of our position, and 
was cutting his fuses so accurately that nearly every shell 
burst in our midst. Finally a shell penetrated a caisson 
that was full of ammunition and caused it to explode, send- 
ing its contents in every direction, killing a man, a horse, 
and wounding two men. 

"General Hooker ordered up another battery, and 
climbing into the cotton gin, field-glass in hand, began to 
look over the position of the enemy's battery, and to see if 
the shots from our guns fell right. The enemy saw him 
enter the gin, and dropping a shell or two into it forced 
him to evacuate it rapidly. As the duel was being too 
much prolonged, another battery of our division was 
brought up, soon ending the contest. Our column moved 
forward at a rapid pace and went into camp at sundown. 
The weather was very hot, and many of our men fell from 
the ranks and were kept alive by their comrades pouring 
cold water on their heads, then fanning and rubbing them." 



136 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

Lieutenant S. B. Robertson's diary: "We were awak- 
ened this morning at two o'clock and ordered to get break- 
fast and be ready to march at dayhght, as the enemy had 
left our front. We started about half-past five, and after 
marching four miles came in sight of a battery which 
shelled us. We got up a Michigan battery, which replied, 
and when both parties ceased firing we advanced one-half 
mile in a piece of woods to support another battery, which 
had opened a brisk fire on the enemy. When the enemy 
fell back our boys made coffee and resumed the march. 
After marching and countermarching over every ridge in 
Georgia, as it seemed to us, we found ourselves three miles 
south of the point which we left in the morning, and 
bivouacked about sunset. July fourth: At early dawn 
the camps were enlivened by several bands playing the na- 
tional airs. In the evening we were again cheered with 
music." 

Lieutenant Grubbs: "The enemy evacuated his strong 
position on the night of the second of July, and on the 
morning of the third we pursued. We passed through four 
lines of works, the last two so strong and skillfully con- 
structed that it would seem no column could successfully 
charge them. About four miles out we came upon them 
on a ridge with a battery planted and commanding the 
road we were advancing upon. They opened upon us be- 
fore we got into position, and for a time hurried our move- 
ments up a Httle. But we soon got into line, put a battery 
into position, and returned shell for shell. For about an 
hour it was an exceedingly hot place; shot and shell flew 
over us and burst above us entirely too closely for -our 
comfort or content. We lay in column on the ridge of a 
hill and fortunately most of their balls either plunged into 



MARCHING AND FIGHTING 137 

the bank in front of us or passed screaming over us. Some 
plowed up the ground among the ranks, but not a man of 
the Seventieth was killed. Two shells burst in our battery, 
which we were supporting, killing one man and wounding 
two others, together with several horses. I assure you it 
was not a desirable place at all. I could see the shell 
passing as plainly as you can see a bird flying through the 
air. But we soon routed them and pursued the march. 

"I think their army is fast becoming demoralized. Up to 
noon on the third I saw two hundred and fifty deserters, 
all of whom came into the lines of our brigade. They 
seemed as rejoiced as schoolboys on hohday, glad to get 
out and glad to see our columns. We marched ten miles 
on the third and went into camp at sundown. On the 
fourth there was music and shouting and general rejoicing. 
At three o'clock we were ordered forward, and after march- 
ing eight miles put up works. On the sixth we marched 
six miles to our present position, within view from tree- 
tops of Atlanta." 

U. H. Farr: 'Tn some places along the Chattahoochie 
River a truce would be arranged between the pickets, and 
the men would trade rations. Our boys had coffee and 
hardtack and the Rebs had tobacco and corn-bread, so 
they would strip, find shallow places, wade into the mid- 
dle of the stream and exchange." 

Lieutenant Robertson: "Wednesday, July thirteenth, 
Captain Sleeth went to corps sutlers and got four cans 
of fresh peaches at one dollar and fifty cents per can. Sun- 
day, July seventeenth. The day is fine and bright. We 
had our weekly inspection at eight o'clock, and divine ser- 
vice at nine, conducted by Chaplain Allen, who gave our 



138 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

company four housewives, which were drawn for by lot- 
tery." 

Another officer writes: "I had a funny experience about 
two o'clock on the morning of the twentieth, while I was 
going around the picket lines as division officer of the day. 
In making my way through the woods from one post to 
another, I became confused and wandered between the 
two lines until I lost all idea as to which was which. There 
was no resource but, as the boys say, 'to chance it.' After 
floundering about as quietly as possible, I came at last upon 
some logs that certainly indicated a picket post. Creep- 
ing cautiously toward it with my pistol cocked, for I didn't 
propose to be taken prisoner, I was chilled by seeing a 
head, on which was a light-colored, broad-brimmed som- 
brero, such as the Southerners wear, rise from behind the 
logs. The sentinel should have called 'Halt,' but I spoke 
first: 'What regiment?' and my bones froze as he an- 
swered, 'Twenty-first Kentucky!' since for the instant Ken- 
tucky meant Confederate. Then, as the contrary thought 
and hope flashed into my mind, flashed out, as I prepared 
to shoot and run, 'What corps?' 'Fourth corps,' was the 
reply. The chill vanished, my bones grew warm as I calm- 
ly asked, 'Which way are the Twentieth corps pickets?' 
However I could not keep from meditating on the bad 
taste of a Union soldier wearing a hat taken from a dead 
Confederate, and so giving me the worst scare of the cam- 
paign." 




J-;^^ 



IL 



CHAPTER IX. 
THE BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK 

On the seventeenth of July, 1864, our regiment moved 
to the left and crossed the Chattahoochie river above Vin- 
ing's Station, and about eleven o'clock on the twentieth 
passed over Peach Tree Creek, a deep and muddy stream, 
on a bridge of rails and poles, and stacked arms in the 
bottomland not far from the water. The men soon scat- 
tered, some getting dinner, some going to the creek, some 
picking blackberries. About the middle of the afternoon 
the skirmishers on the hill in front began to fire at a furious 
rate, and some of our men who had gone up to get a 
view of the enemy came hurrying down the hill at a break- 
neck pace. Everybody in our command was rushing into 
line, the officers calling to men, "Fall in! Fall in!" and 
the men exclaiming, "O God, boys, they are out of their 
works! We've got 'em now!" 

Then came the order, "Forward, double-quick!" and ofiE 
we rushed. We could see the skirmish line doubling its 
efforts in loading and shooting from behind the few rails 
used for protection. Just as we reached the top of a low 
ridge, about one-third as high as the big hill and parallel 
to it, and were about two-thirds of the way from the creek 
to that hill, we saw the collision between the Confederates 
and our skirmishers, the latter being forced back, loading 
and firing as they yielded. The One Hundred and Twenty- 
ninth Illinois was formed in front of the Seventieth Indi- 
ana, but when it had passed over the ridge down into a 
ravine, we fired a volley over its head and lay down. As 

139 



I40 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

the enemy, attracted by the fact that our division was the 
only one unprotected by breastworks, came rushing over 
the hill, the Illinois troops obliqued to the right and gave 
the Indiana men a chance to move forward. Down the 
ridge we went, through the sassafras bushes, over a gully 
some four feet wide and seven feet deep, up the high hill, 
on the top of which were the piles of rails thrown to- 
gether by the skirmishers. The Confederate line broke in 
our regimental front and fled down the hill, but on the 
right a few hundred of the enemy made a determined fight 
to stem the tide of the brigade's advance. There is a 
struggle for and the capture of flags by the regiments of 
our brigade to the right, and then the hand-to-hand con- 
test is over. 

As our adversaries hastened down the hill and through 
a wide field in the direction of Atlanta, volley after volley 
was poured after them, dotting the field with the dead and 
dying. Along the slope of the hill inclining toward the 
city, deep gutters had been washed by the rains, and the 
foe had hidden in them as a protection from the infantry. 
Some of these washes were subjected to an enfilading fire 
from the batteries. The next day these ravines were found 
to be filled with the mangled remains of Confederate sol- 
diers. A retreating regiment left a flag with the stafif stuck 
in the ground about a quarter of a mile in our front. As 
night approached a couple of our men added it to the six 
already captured by the Third Division. In the course 
of the afternoon as the supply of ammunition ran low, 
men from each company were sent to the ordnance wagons 
in the rear for boxes of cartridges. We had seen famish- 
ing men crowd for food and water, but now there was a 
greater rush for powder and ball. As soon as the enemy 



THE BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK I4I 

had been driven from the top of the hill every rail and 
chunk that could be found was used to form a breastwork. 

Just after the Seventieth had won its final position on 
Peach Tree Heights, while the rattle of musketry was al- 
most drowned in the awful roar of the artillery, for it was 
not only "cannon to right of them, cannon to left of them," 
but cannon behind them also, firing over their heads, an 
aide came dashing up to the officer in command of the 
regiment, exclaiming, "General Sherman sends word, 
'Hold your ground and he will take Atlanta before sun- 
down.' " The response was: "We'll die right here," which 
doubtless voiced the determination of every man who held 
that hill. The men were ready for the sacrifice, but many 
more patriots than compose a regiment gave their lives 
before Atlanta fell. 

The scenes of the battlefield are never to be forgotten. 
The Mexican war veteran, Captain Carson, empties his 
pistol at the enemy after he had aligned his company, and 
exclaims as the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth obliques 
to the right and gives the left wing of the Seventieth free- 
dom to move: "Colonel, can't we go forward?" Captain 
Endsley, another Mexican veteran, shouts, "The day is ours, 
but keep back there on the left." Captain Matlock laugh- 
ingly answers an anxious inquiry as he is assisted from the 
field: "Yes, hit just as I expected." Matthias Stuck, faint 
from the uphill race and from the sight of a dead comrade, 
asks the officer in command of the regiment to let him 
shift his position, so that his head may be shaded by a 
sassafras bush, but is restored to his senses by a bullet 
through the leg, so as to be able jokingly to ask 
if he can't find a shade a little farther back. Captain Mere- 
dith, who ought to be in the hospital, moves at the head 



242 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

of his company with countenance in which pain and tri- 
umph mingle. Acting Adjutant Cox, beautiful as a girl, 
brave as a Hon, rushes through the left of the Illinois regi- 
ment to the hilltop, his form as he reaches the crest out- 
lined against the sky, waves his hat exultantly, and beck- 
ons a command "Forward!" for no voice could be heard in 
llie uproar. Hundreds of brave names and brave incidents 
would be mentioned, were memory called on to tell all the 
occurrences of that eventful afternoon. 

Captain Meredith: "A few days before the battle of 
Peach Tree Creek, while the regiment was advancing in 
line. Private Matthias Stuck was discovered loitering in 
the rear gathering dewberries, which were plenty, ripe and 
luscious. I spoke to him, 'Stuck, what are you doing 
there? Step up to your place in the ranks; we may be 
engaged directly.' Stuck arose from his knees, holding his 
gun with his left hand; he had been gathering berries with 
his right, and said, with a salute, 'I'll get right into my 
place. Captain.' Just then a stray bullet from the rebels 
whirred along, grazed Stuck's leg between knee and thigh, 
and punctured his trousers. 'Golly,' said he. 'Look at that, 
Captain !' 'Yes, I see, sir,' I replied. 'If you had been at 
your place in the ranks you wouldn't have got that.' 
That's so,' said Stuck, and cheerfully joined his company. 
Shortly after we encountered the enemy's fire I saw Stuck 
holding his gun in his left hand, using it as a cane, while 
he was making a tourniquet of his right. There was a 
fearful bullet hole in his leg. 'Yes, I see that you are 
wounded,' I exclaimed, as the soldier approached. 'Get 
down to the hill in the rear as soon as you can and be cared 
for.' But the soldier continued to approach, halted, bowed 
and said, 'I just wanted to tell you, Cap, that if I had been 



THE BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK 143 

back there gathering dewberries I wouldn't have got this.' " 
It is possible that the shot that found him under the sassa- 
fras bush would have missed him in the ranks. 

Those who have read the "Red Badge of Courage" can 
easily see where the author got his idea of a battle, not in 
the front line, but in the rear. The hillside and valley be- 
hind the advancing lines were alive with non-combatants, 
cowards, cooks, and mules laden with frying pans, rushing 
wildly from the impending storm. Juniper, the cook for 
Company B, was a powerful negro. He could take a barrel 
of whisky by the chines and drink from the bung. It was 
amusing to hear him tell how his long legs helped him to 
beat the Fourth Corps down "dat ar hill. No, sir! Didn't 
see no Seventieth Rigement boys runnin'. When I struck 
de crick I runned out on a long log and jumped, but went 
chock in de mud way 'bove my knees. Didn't have no 
time to lif one foot till a soger, and den a nigga, lit wif 
bof feet on my back, and went a flyen to de shore. Dar 
dis chile war stuck in de mud, playen leap-frog wid dat 
ar whole coah." 

J. H. Kelly: "We advanced in two lines, the One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-ninth Illinois in our front. Just as the 
Seventieth reached the top of a low ridge and the One 
Hundred and Twenty-ninth a small ravine in our front 
the enemy came pouring over the hill. Both regiments 
opened fire, the one in front from the ravine, and the 
Seventieth from its more exposed position on the ridge. 
The rebel lines continued to advance in face of our two 
lines of fire. The lay of the ground enabled the second 
line to fire over the heads of the first. The rebels were 
losing heavily, and began to halt, waver, kink up, and_ 
finally break for the rear. Their front line in going back 



144 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

broke up their two rear lines; so there was a complete rout. 
In the morning we gathered and buried sixty rebel dead in 
a space the length of our regiment." 

An officer writes home: "As twilight crept slowly over 
the scene, the hideous clamor of battle ceased, and a won- 
drous quiet took possession of the hillside. Men in low 
tones inquired of the wounded and spoke of the dead. In 
every heart was a strange conflict, exultation over the vic- 
tory and grief over the fallen. I had been in charge of 
the pickets of our division the day and night before, and 
now 'gentle sleep, nature's soft nurse, was frighted and 
would not steep my senses in forgetfulness.' All night 
long I sat on an ammunition box looking out toward 
Atlanta, so near and yet so far, or up to the stars, chilled 
by the unpitying way they held themselves aloof from the 
awful suffering beneath. In long lines on either side of 
me lay the exhausted heroes wrapped in their blankets, 
but clinging to their rifles. In the solemn stillness of mid- 
night, questions never answered came with overwhelming 
power. Why are men forever dashing themselves against 
and over the breastworks that separate life from death? 
Why should these youthful sleepers, many of whom, with 
all their manliness, have not yet entered on manhood, fling 
all away and rush into the unknown? Why, amid death 
scenes that should be terrifying, and carnage that is re- 
volting, is one lifted up into a thrilling consciousness of 
immortality? Mystery of mysteries, all is mystery." 

Color Sergeant Frank H. Huron: "As soon as the dark- 
ness stopped the firing, I took my canteen and those 
of two dead men lying beside me, and filling them from 
the little brook in our rear, went to the wounded rebels in 
our immediate front, w^ho were crying for water. After 



THE BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK I45 

a few trips I found myself perhaps two hundred yards in 
advance of our line, giving water to one whose feeble cry 
had drawn me to him. While he was drinking I heard the 
click of a musket, and turning quickly, saw by the starlight 
a man not twenty feet away, half hidden in a ditch washed 
out by the rains, with bayonet fixed and gun leveled at me. 
To say that I abhorred a man who would shoot another 
while he was giving water to his wounded comrades is 
putting it too mildly. I wanted to kill him so bad that 
I could taste it, but just then a faint voice behind him 
called, 'For God's sake, somebody give me a drink of 
water,' and my decision was made in a moment. I would 
go to the man who was ready to shoot me, as if he were 
the one who was calling, give him a canteen, and while he 
was drinking, would snatch his gun, whirl it round, and if 
he didn't surrender, bayonet him before he could dodge. 
He left his bayonet pointing toward me until I was almost 
against it, then drew it to one side, when I saw there were 
two others beside him squatted down in the ditch with 
guns in their hands and bayonets fixed, and I knew they 
intended to take me in. One canteen was empty, so I 
could not get the three drinking at once, but I handed 
them the two containing some water, thinking one of them 
at least would lose his gun while drinking, and if they killed 
me I would first get one or more of them. Death was 
better than Andersonville. But they began drinking, hold- 
ing their guns on the other side of the ditch, with the third 
man watching. Just then the weak voice behind them 
called again, 'Oh, for one drink of w^ater, water, water!' I 
called to him I would bring him some, and asked them not 
to drink it all, and I would bring them some more (but I 
didn't intend to do it). They left a little in one canteen. 



146 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

and I went past them to the other man, thinking to get his 
gun, but he had none in sight. Then I decided to make 
a zig-zag run for our line and risk them hitting me, but as 
the man drained the last drop and begged for more, I 
promised to return as soon as I could fill the canteens, and 
started back past them, thinking it safer to make them 
believe I was coming back with more water than to run. 
"Just as I got to them an impulse seized me to take them 
in. So I began telling them, if they were not too badly 
wounded, I could help them in to our surgeons, who would 
take as much pains with them as with our own soldiers; 
and of our hospital supplies, especially the good eating, 
and the women nurses, and the splendid barracks and good 
living they would have after leaving the hospital, or the 
immediate freedom if they wanted to take the oath and 
quit fighting; that everything was so plenty in the North 
we could take the best care of them, and as their comrades 
knew they were wounded they would of course expect 
them to be captured, and it would be perfectly honorable 
for them to go where they could be best cared for. I 
pledged them all this on the honor of a soldier, but was 
getting uneasy, wondering what to say more, when one 
of them blurted out, 'What do you say, boys?' and another 
answered, 'Darned if I care,' and I instantly took hold of 
their guns, pulling them as though it was understood that 
I should have them, and they let go. I pitched one gun 
behind me and took the gun from the other man before 
he had time to protest, and remarking that I would carry 
the guns and they could help each other, I took a step 
toward our lines, and all three of them climbed out of. their 
ditch and walked with me, saying just before we got to 



THE BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK 147 

where the surgeons were sawing off arms and legs, 'that 
they didn't need any doctors.' " 

It was often the painful duty of an officer to announce 
sad tidings to relatives, or to transmit to them information 
additional to the dreadful news already harshly proclaimed 
by the telegraph. The following letter tells its own mourn- 
ful story: 

Headquarters First Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth Army 

Corps, 
In the trenches before Atlanta. 
Malcolm A. Lowes, Esq.: 

My Dear Sir — Your son was interred with all care possible 
in a box of heavy dressed lumber found in a mill near the 
battlefield, and the place of his burial can easily be identified 
should you desire at any time to disinter his remains. I trust 
you will permit me to tender you, his bereaved parents, and 
to the young wife, whose widowhood has followed so soon 
upon her bridal, my heartfelt sympathy in the heavy grief 
which has fallen upon you. Your son's courage and enthus- 
iasm led him into the fight when his condition of health might 
well have excused his remaining in the rear. The only sources 
of consolation to which I can direct you are the promises of 
God to the afflicted, and the fact that your son fell bravely 
fighting for the country and government of Washington and 
the Fathers. 

I am, sir, very truly yours, 

BENJ. HARRISON. 

Rarely is it that the joy that accompanies successful 
conflict is not followed by profoundest grief. Thoughts 
of the courage and loyalty of those, who in their death 
gave the full measure of patriotic devotion, for the time 
at least, envelope all hearts in the deepest gloom. The 
inspiration that comes from contemplation of their lofty 
heroism is not for the present, but for the future, when 



148 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

the awful sacrifice has been glorified by the lapse of years. 
It was animating to see young life expanding as duties 
were discharged, difBculties overcome, hardships en- 
dured, sickness disregarded, and death confronted. But 
just as the boy stood on the threshold of manhood, prom- 
ising everything glorious to home and country, to one 
seeing him cold, dead, gone forever, there could be no 
v^^ords, or if any, only Burke's cry, "What shadows we are; 
what shadows we pursue." 

An of^cer writes: "You can't tell anything about a 
man until he is tried. There was in our regiment a long, 
loose, gawky, simple fellow, just filling the idea some peo- 
ple have of a Hoosier, who was astonishingly changed by 
the thunder and blood of Resaca. He was a new man. His 
eyes were bright. His face was thoughtful. He even 
moved with a manliness you might call dignity. He con- 
tinued to improve and develop until he fell before Atlanta. 
I venture to say that man lived more in his last three 
months than in all the twenty preceding years. I've seen 
others fine at talking, good at understanding, right enough 
in feeling perhaps, lose command of themselves and slink 
to the rear, to be ordered with scorn and curses to the 
picket line in front." 

One who fell in this battle, James C. Spaulding, can 
stand for many that might be mentioned, did space permit, 
who quietly did their duty and gave their lives for their 
country. The advantages his widowed mother was able 
to give him before he entered the army were but few, so 
he was known only as a private in the rear rank. The 
thought of ever attaining the position even of corporal 
seemed not to have entered his mind. His voice was sel- 
dom heard except at roll call, or in halting one who ap- 



THE BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK 149 

preached his post. But nothing kept the stripling from 
his allotted work, and at last, in the roar of battle, his 
comrades found that the boy had become a man and the 
man a hero. Truly the Union was bought with a great 
price, for the men who are moving heaven and earth for 
position are plentiful, but many an ingenuous lad who for- 
got himself in devotion to duty sleeps on the hillsides of 
Georgia, and the country is the poorer for his loss. 

U. H. Farr: "The next morning after the battle the 
rebel dead were buried in trenches about six feet wide and 
twenty feet long. During the day General Hooker, accom- 
panied by his stafif, rode down the line from left to right 
to congratulate the men on the result of the battle. He 
had not proceeded far when he was shown a captured 
battle flag, and in complimenting the exhibitors he took 
ofif his hat and bowed his head. Putting it on again he 
started forward, but had not gone far till another flag was 
shown him, and as every few steps a captured flag was 
brought to view, he concluded it was not worth while to 
wear his hat, so he held it in his hand and rode slowly 
down the line of works, bestowing praises amid the men, 
who made his passage a triumphal procession." 

J. H. Kelly: "General Hooker resigned command of 
the Twentieth Army Corps, and as he rode along the line 
taking leave of the ofificers and men, a mortally wounded 
rebel soldier heard the men cheering and inquired what 
it meant. He was told Hooker was coming. He requested 
some one to raise him up to see him go by, for he had 
heard so much about him and wanted to see him before 
he died." 

J. L. Ketcham, July twenty-first: "We had a glorious 
fight yesterday. I don't know the results of the whole 



150 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

fight, but our division repulsed the rebels and threw up 
works on the battlefield, where they lay killed and wounded, 
five to our one, that I know. 

"At midnight we were ordered to get ready, and at 
daybreak we pushed forward. Halted at noon in a corn- 
field and ate a cracker for dinner — the sun so terribly hot. 
Our division was so fortunate this time as to have an open 
field. The Fourth Corps, on our left, and the other divi- 
sions of our corps had woods to fight in. We were soon 
in line of battle, and waited for orders in the hot sun. The 
battle began at four o'clock and lasted until after dark. 
It began on the Fourth Corps; they were a little in advance 
of the line and had all their non-combatants with them. 
Of all the skedaddling, running and confusion! I never 
saw the beat! It amused us at first, but when the firing 
began on our line amusement sobered into alarm. Then 
the hot work began on the left. Both right and left sent 
to Hooker for reinforcements. All the answer they got 
was, 'Forward!' 'Fighting Joe' had his bodyguard (so 
I hear from Colonel Harrison) draw their sabers and push 
forward the skulking parties of those who asked for rein- 
forcements. At this moment we advanced. On we moved 
in steady line; we couldn't see the rebs yet. 'Colonel 
Merrill will take that cedar knoll.' When we reached the 
top our lines weren't in so good a shape — the lines of our 
division I mean. But no wonder. Some regiments had 
a steep hill to climb, to pass through a cornfield, through 
thickets, blackberry bushes, to cross a creek and a deep 
gutter, all of which our regiment did before we at last 
reached the top of the cedar knoll. And there were the 
Johnny rebs on a ridge just opposite us advancing on us. 
The thickets, blackberry bushes and small but deep 



THE BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK 151 

ravines offered a good place for skulkers. One little cuss 
stopped and commenced picking blackberries. A regi- 
ment on our right had nice ground to advance on and 
was ahead ; the lieutenant-colonel and a rebel colonel were 
in a hand-to-hand fight for a rebel flag; but, strange to 
say, the rebel colonel got away, limping. Some of our 
regiment, tired or excited, stopped on the cedar hill and 
commenced firing. Others were in the ravine in front and 
starting up the slope to meet the rebels. Now! who would 
win? The rebels advancing, some of our men faltering. 
We had nothing to fall back on but a muddy creek we 
had taken several hours in crossing on one small bridge. 
Had we broken how terrible would have been the 
slaughter — our men killing their comrades and themselves 
in trying to cross the creek! There was a desperate attack 
on our batteries on the right and left. Colonel Harrison's 
adjutant came flying along the lines and shouting, 'For- 
ward! They are driving us on the right and left!' 

"But our artillery helps us. Canister shot is fired into 
them from the woods on our right, and we give them a 
volley. They halt, waver, lie down. Hurrah! They break 
and run. Our boys take steadier aim now and advance 
with enthusiasm. They don't retreat without giving us 
several volleys. We gain their hill, passing over their killed 
and wounded, and lie down behind some fence rails the 
skirmishers have thrown up and fire into them, retreating. 
They made several attempts to rally and recross the open 
field, but without success. I got a gun from a wounded 
man, pocketed some cartridges and caps, and had several 
shots. We were at work nearly all night throwing up 
earthworks. We didn't suffer as much as we did at 
Resaca — other regiments, though, a great deal more. Our 



152 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

loss was five killed and twenty-seven wounded. Captain 
Matlock and Lieutenant Reed were wounded, Englehart 
was wounded and Spaulding killed. Lieutenant Lowes was 
killed. He was sick and ought to have been in hospital, 
but he wouldn't stay behind. It is impossible to describe 
a battle correctly. Every one has a different story to tell. 
Some had very narrow escapes. Captain Carson had three 
bullet holes in his hat. Colonel Merrill had a bullet pass 
through his coat sleeve. I didn't get a scratch. No one 
knows how many narrow escapes he has in battle. It was 
a sad, sad sight to see the dead and dying on the battle- 
field. The rebel wounded couldn't all be taken off till 
morning. They lay from four o'clock in the hot sun. One 
poor fellow prayed for help; another, too far gone to pray 
for help from us, I heard uttering his last prayer. He was 
dead this morning. 

"General Ward is proud of his old brigade. He rides a 
large, splendid looking horse, and is of pretty good size 
himself. When excited he pulls at his tremendous gloves. 
He was greatly excited when we commenced driving the 
rebels, and jerking first at one glove, then the other, he 
called out to his aid, Lieutenant Harryman of our regi- 
ment, 'Ha'yman, Ha'yman, come hea'. Look how the 
Fust Brigade, my old brigade, goes in!' Some one tells 
a good story of General Thomas. He was standing on a 
hill on the opposite side of the creek. He is always work- 
ing at his short, thick whiskers. When satisfied he 
smooths them down, when troubled he works them all out 
of shape. The rebels were advancing on us and we on 
them; we met in a hollow between the cedar knoll and 
the hill we afterwards occupied. The general could see 
neither party, and it was at that moment, when our right 



THE BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK 153 

and left, fighting in the woods, seemed ready to give way, 
he had his whiskers all out of shape. He gave orders to 
his bodyguard to hold the bridge across Peach Tree Creek 
and cut down any armed soldier who attempted to cross. 
But when he saw the rebels running, with us after them, 
he took off his hat and slung it on the ground and shouted, 
'Hurrah! Look at the Third Division. They're driving 
them!' His whiskers were soon in good shape again. I 
ca.i hardly understand why the rebels lost so many. They 
had a long way to charge, but it was a fair, open field fight. 
The most of them were shot after they started to run." 

Maj.-Gen. H. W. Slocum, in his report made September 
29, 1864, mentions two infantry swords and scabbards cap- 
tured July twentieth by Lieut. Charles H. Cox of Company 
E and Private George C. Thompson of Company G. An- 
other was captured by Private W. A. Miller of Company 
B and turned over to the proper authorities, but seems 
to have escaped attention. 

Headquarters First Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth Corps. 
Before Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 12th, 1864. 
Captain — I have the honor to submit the following report 
of the part taken by my brigade in the battle of the 20th of 
July (Peach Tree Creek) : After crossing Peach Tree Creek, 
on the morning of the 20th, the division was massed in a corn- 
field in the rear of Newton's division of the Fourth Army 
Corps, and while in this position skirmishers were pushed 
down the creek to connect with those of the second division 
of our corps, and then advanced to a point near the crest of 
a large hill in an open field, which intervened between the 
right of General Newton's division and the left of General 
Geary's. I was then ordered to move my brigade down the 
valley of the creek, and to form in line at the foot of the hill 
referred to, connecting my left with the Second Brigade of 



154 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

this division (Colonel Cobum's) and my right with the left 
of General Geary's division. On arriving at the point indi- 
cated, I found that General Geary had already occupied the 
crest of the hill to which I have before referred, and that his 
left was resting in the edge of the timber bordering on a corn- 
field, W'here he had some artillery in position. At this point, 
the whole field, which afterward became the battle ground, 
could be overlooked, though the crest just here was not so 
far advanced as that portion of the ridge afterward occupied 
by this division. The view of the ground thus obtained en- 
abled me to direct the movements of my brigade in the action 
which followed with much greater certainty and success than 
I could otherwise have done. When Colonel Coburn's bri- 
gade was formed and his right established, I found that I 
could only have room enough for one regiment in the interval 
between his right and General Geary's left, and reported this 
fact to the division commander, when each of the other bri- 
gade commanders were ordered to throw one regiment on a 
second line and to close to the left so as to enable me to 
bring into the first line two more regiments. This change was 
at once executed, and my brigade was then formed in the fol- 
lowing order, viz: In the first line, on the right, the One 
Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Captain 
Wilson commanding; in the center the Seventy-ninth Ohio, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Doane, commanding, and on the left 
the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry, Colonel Case commanding. In the sec- 
ond line, on the right, the One Hundred and Fifth 
Illinois, Major Dutton commanding, and on the left, 
the Seventieth Indiana Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Merrill commanding. After these dispositions had been made 
the troops were permitted to rest until the residue of the line 
should be in readiness for the attack, which it was intended to 
make upon the enemy's lines. In front of my two regiments 
of the front line on the right there was quite a steep blufif, 
at the top of which there was a level field cultivated in corn 
some four hundred yards across, and beyond which the ground 



THE BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK 155 

again sloped down toward the bed of a small creek. Between 
these two regiments and the left regiment of the front line, a 
small stream ran from the southwest upon which, about three 
hundred yards from where we lay, was a grist mill. On the 
left of this creek immediately in front of our lines, was a low 
ridge covered with small pines, and still beyond this and a 
ravine which intervened, was a high cleared ridge, which was 
the line finally occupied by our troops. This ridge was the 
key point to the whole position. If held by the enemy, we 
should have been forced to retire beyond Peach Tree Creek. 
At this time I received orders to relieve the One Hundred and 
Thirty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, then covering my 
front as skirmishers, by a detail from my brigade when the 
advance should commence. One hundred men, chiefly Spencer 
riflemen, from the Seventy-ninth Ohio and One Hundred 
and Second Illinois Volunteers, under the command of Cap- 
tain Williamson, Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, were 
detailed for this duty and held in readiness to advance when 
orders should be received. While thus formed and waiting 
I met Colonel Coburn, commanding Second Brigade, who in- 
formed me that his skirmishers reported the enemy advancing 
to attack us, and suggested that our line ought to be advanced 
to the crest of the small ridge which extended itself in front 
of his line and a portion of the left of my brigade. I con- 
curred in this suggestion and Colonel Coburn immediately 
went to submit the matter to the Brigadier General command- 
ing the division, and very soon afterward I received an order 
in case the enemy advanced to move forward to the crest of 
the ridge mentioned. Very soon afterward, I saw from the 
high ground where the left of the second division rested, the 
enemy's advance push out of the woods and press rapidly to- 
wards us. I at once ordered my brigade to advance to the 
crest of the small ridge in our front and there to halt, w^hich 
was speedily accomplished. Returning to my post of obser- 
vation, I watched the enemy's advance over the crest of the 
higher ridge in our front and down its slope toward us, until 
their lines were scarcely separated by a distance of one hun- 



156 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

dred yards from ours. During this advance the artillery on 
the left of the second division had been pouring into the 
enemy quite a destructive fire of case-shot and shell, and the 
skirmishers on my front, re-enforced by the detail of one hun- 
dred Spencer rifles, which I ordered forward at the beginning 
of the attack, were punishing the enemy severely. This, to- 
gether with the long distance the enemy had charged over on 
the double-quick had broken his front line to some extent, 
and I could observe many of his men lying down and a few 
even turning back, while the officers, with drawn swords, were 
trying to steady their lines and push them forward. Believing 
it to be of vital importance to strike a counter blow before the 
rear lines of the enemy came up, and while his advance was in 
disorder, and to secure the high ridge in our front, I sent 
Captain Dunlevy, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, to order 
my three regiments on the left of a small creek which inter- 
sected my line, to advance and attack the enemy vigorously 
while at the same time I brought forward the two right regi- 
ments to the farther slope of the hill, which at this point had 
not been passed by the enemy, in order to cover the left of 
General Geary's line and to connect with my left when it 
should push the enemy back over the crest. The order borne 
by Captain Dunlevy was promptly and vigorously executed 
by the regiments on the left. Our advance, though desper- 
ately resisted by the enemy, was steady and unfaltering; the 
fighting was hand to hand, and step by step; the enemy was 
pushed back over the crest in our front and the key point of 
the battle won. When this advance was ordered, the two regi- 
ments in my second line, the Seventieth Indiana and the One 
Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, were obliqued 
to the left, in order to extend my line and cover that flank, 
and came up into the first line. My line, though thus ex- 
tended, was still uncovered on the left and the enemy for a 
time were on my flank and rear. Captain Dunlevy reported 
to me that my left regiment, the Seventieth Indiana, would 
certainly be cut off if its left was not refused. He said he 
suggested this to Captain H. M. Endsley, commanding the 



THE BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK 157 

left wing of the regiment, but that grizzly old veteran had 
only stopped to say, "I can't see it," and he pushed on for the 
enemy in his front. This danger was soon removed, as I was 
sure it would be by the splendid advance of Colonel Coburn's 
brigade, which, after fighting its way desperately to the top 
of the hill, connected with me on the left. After reaching the 
crest the line was halted, as a farther advance would have ex- 
posed both flanks, but the battle was continued for above two 
hours, with the enemy on the farther slope, who was endeav- 
oring to reform for another attack. The destructive fire we 
continued to pour into him finally compelled him to retire, 
broken and thoroughly whipped, to his rifle pits, which were 
observable from this point in the woods beyond. The two 
regiments on my right, though not engaged at such close 
quarters as those on the left of. the creek, owing to the fact 
that the marshy bed of the creek, which turned to the west 
along their front, prevented the enemy from pushing up to 
close quarters, did quite as good service, and suffered rather 
more severely than those on the left. Their fire, which was 
chiefly oblique, was delivered with coolness and was very de- 
structive. The One Hundred and Second Illinois, on the 
right, poured its fire by a right oblique into the columns of 
the enemy, who were pressing General Geary's front, and 
aided very essentially in supporting General Geary's battery, 
which was at one time very near falling into the hands of the 
enemy. The Seventy-ninth Ohio, next to this regiment on 
the left, delivered a left oblique fire, which very essentially 
aided the line on the left of the creek near the mill, at which 
point the enemy was pressing in heavy force. While the bat- 
tle was at its height, I observed some of the artillery of General 
Geary's division on my immediate front, retiring toward Peach 
Tree Creek_, in the rear of our division, and inquiring of the 
officer in charge, was told that the right of the second division 
had been broken, and that he was trying to retire his battery 
a section at a time. While I was conversing with him the 
situation was made more apparent to me by a heavy fire of 
musketry being poured into the field where we stood from the 



158 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

rear. A moment's reflection satisfied me that whatever other 
portions of the Hne might do, we must hold our Hne and fight 
where we were. The creek (Peach Tree) in our rear at this 
place, ten feet deep, with very miry banks and bed, had not 
been bridged, and to attempt to cross it would have been utter 
destruction. Concealing the situation (which was rendered 
more critical by a temporary giving way of Newton's division 
on our left) from my officers and men, we continued the fight, 
trusting to the brave troops on our right to recover their 
ground. While this danger was most apparent a staff officer, 
who is still unknown, but supposed to be from some command 
on our right, came to Captain Wilson, commanding One Hun- 
dred and Second Illinois, and told him if he did not retire his 
regiment, it would certainly be cut off. The Captain very 
coolly replied that his regiment had been placed there by me 
and should stay there until I ordered it away. As the fire 
slackened, rails were gathered and a temporary breastwork 
thrown up, which, after night, was strengthened and made 
secure. At one time during the fight our ammunition began 
to get low and considerable uneasiness was felt lest it might 
be exhausted. I at once dispatched Lieutenant Mitchell, 
aide-de-camp, to have a supply brought up, while Captain 
Scott, Acting Assistant Inspector General, and others busied 
themselves in cutting the cartridge boxes from the rebel dead 
within our lines and distributing them to the men. The enemy 
in my front greatly outnumbered me, three distinct lines of 
battle being discernible as he advanced, while my brigade 
from the first fought in a single line. The enemy's dead to the 
number of 150 were left within our lines and buried by us, 
while several hundred others were seen upon the open field 
between the lines, but couldn't be reached for burial. Among 
the dead buried were one Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, 
two Captains and three Lieutenants. We took 155 prisoners, 
as near as the number can be arrived at, of whom ten were 
commissioned officers, two stand of colors and 200 stand of 
small arms were also captured. The loss sustained by my 
brigade was very light compared with that of the enemy, ow- 



THE BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK 159 

ing to the fact, as I believe, that the enemy, having the higher 
ground, fired too high. The following is a brief summary of 
my loss: Killed, one commissioned officer (Lieutenant 
Lowes, Seventieth Indiana), thirty-one enlisted men. 
Wounded, five commissioned officers, 144 enlisted men; total, 
i8r. 

I desire before closing this report to speak of the bravery 
and soldierly conduct displayed by the officers and men of my 
command. The advance was so fierce, steady and well sus- 
tained that nothing could withstand it, and was only equaled 
by the firmness with which having gained the ridge, they held 
it against all the attempts of the enemy to repossess it. Cap- 
tain Wilson, commanding the One Hundred and Second Illi- 
nois Volunteer Infantry, though unused to regimental com- 
mand, managed the regiment with marked skill and deserves 
special mention. Lieutenant-Colonel Doone, Seventy-ninth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, though quite ill, led his regiment 
into action, and with the assistance of Captain Samuel West, 
a young officer of great merit, handled it with great effective- 
ness. Of Colonel Case, Major Button and Lieutenant-Colonel 
Merrill and the other field officers of their respective regi- 
ments, I need only to say that they bore themselves as they 
have ever done during the campaign, with conspicuous cour- 
age. To the officers of my stafT — Captain H. M. Scott, Act- 
ing Assistant Inspector General ; Captain Dunlevy, Acting 
Assistant Adjutant-General ; Lieutenants McKnight and 
Mitchell, Aides-de-Camp, and Lieutenant Merritt, Provost 
Marshal — I must express my thanks for the courage with 
which they bore my orders on the field, amid storm of shot, 
and the active intelligence with which they assisted in their 
execution. The reports of my regimental commanders are 
sent herewith. 

I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
BENJAMIN HARRISON, 
Colonel commanding First Brigade. 

Captain John Speed, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 



CHAPTER X. 

CAPTURE OF ATLANTA 

U. H. Farr: "On the twenty-second of July we moved 
forward and to the left in close proximity to the strong 
defenses of Atlanta, and were welcomed with a terrific 
fire of artillery and a stubborn resistance on the part of the 
rebel skirmishers. The crash of cannon in our front and 
the exploding shells among us prevented our hearing the 
fearful battle on the left, in which McPherson was killed. 

"On the twenty-eighth, hearing heavy firing, our brigade 
left its works, to be filled by other troops, and hurried, 
double-quicking almost a mile, toward the sound of the 
battle to reinforce those who were engaged. However, 
the rebels, after making seven desperate assaults on How- 
ard's corps, retired, and we were sent to the extreme right 
of the army, where we were joined the following day by 
Coburn's brigade, which was placed still farther to the 
right, but refused to the rear." 

An officer writes: "July thirtieth, Saturday. — The Con- 
federates appear to us entirely heathenish, for they make 
no effort to remove their severely wounded, leaving them 
to fall into our hands after a day or two, and never exert- 
ing themselves in the least to bury their dead, who, when 
we find them, are most loathsome. Sunday. — Just at twi- 
light this morning the Thirty-third Indiana band played 
Old Hundred grandly. I am not often nowadays con- 
scious of being immortal, but as that glorious tune swelled 
forth, the past, the present and the future seemed to melt 
into one, and all our loved who have gone before were 

160 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA l6l 

With me listening. Of late I have been touched with pity 
for our deluded enemies. It is very sad to read letters 
written by men just before they died, or to see a corpse 
deserted by every one e.xcept a howlmg dog. 
U H Farr- "August second we were ordered to the lett 

again, where our regimental line was bisected by a pi^ke run- 
nL near and parallel to the railroad. We worked day and 
night constructing defenses, but as soon as they were finished 
the engineers devised new works nearer the enemy. The 
last advance was to a point in plain view of a rebel fort out 
of whose portholes heavy siege guns would send she Is to 
burst over our heads. The trench on the ins.de of our 
breastworks was several yards in width, and m front too 
wide to be leaped across, and six feet deep. Holes a foot 
or two in depth were dug and concealed with brush, and 
telegraph wire was fastened to little stumps and pegs 
parallel with the works, and everything that could be made 
an impediment to an assaulting column was brought mto 
play, for our line had been so extended that even . rem- 
forced by the retiring skirmishers, the men would st> 1 have 
been several feet from one another. Every n.ght after 
dark the skirmish rehef would move along some ravine 
leading from the line of breastworks to the front, and then 
crawllrom pit to pit. The skirmish lines w-e "°w s° 
close that the Union men could hear the Confederate 
talking. Often at night our brass bands would play the 
famiUar notes of national hymns or the favorite turies we 
had often heard in the churches at home, and wh.k the 
music was rendered the stillness would be profound, not 
a shot would be exchanged." , , ^ ■,, 

T L Ketcham: "August fifth.-I had to make details 
last'night at nine, eleven, two and five o'clock to work on 



l62 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

a new line of trenches. We have just occupied them this 
morning. This makes the third, and in some places, the 
fourth line of works. We are creeping in on them. Will 
dig our way either in or around the city. We were on the 
extreme right three days ago; are now near the center. 
A heavy old siege gun sends a shell into the city every five 
minutes as regular as a clock. It has been firing about 
thirty-six hours. The shell goes screeching and howHng. 
The boys call it the Atlanta Express." 

Lieutenant Grubbs : "August twelfth. — Yesterday we 
again commenced the work of advancing our lines. Are 
moving them one hundred yards to the front, and within 
three hundred yards of the rebel works. Working parties 
have been busy since yesterday morning constructing, un- 
der a sharp fire of artillery and musketry, a new line, and 
to-day the work is almost complete. The Johnnies, taunted 
by the sound of the Yankee axes and picks, have been 
firing most viciously all the morning. One man of Com- 
pany G was killed on the breastworks; others were 
wounded, but the work still went on." 

Another officer writes: "August fifteenth, Sunday. — A 
bullet just now went through my tent, with force enough 
to have gone through me twice over. I was lying down 
reading. If I had been standing, it would have been good- 
bye, books. We had three men killed day before yesterday, 
and two wounded yesterday, by what are called stray bul- 
lets. I was affected as the boys carried Private Johnnie 
Newton on a stretcher to the rear to die, by his calling out, 
'Good-bye, Colonel!' One feels so helpless in the pres- 
ence of death." 

On the same date. Lieutenant Grubbs: 'T came in of¥ 
the skirmish line last night at nine o'clock, after lying there 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA 163 

without sleep or relief since eight the evening before. Our 
line and that of the Johnnies are not more than two hun- 
dred yards apart, and each watched the other all day long 
like hawks to see if a head or Hmb exposed gave the chance 
of a shot. We have rifle pits for the skirmishers, as well as 
breastworks for the main line. They are constructed in 
the night under cover of the darkness, as near the rebs' 
line as possible without arousing them. A few rails or 
logs are piled up, and in rear of them a deep ditch is dug 
and the dirt thrown in front of the rails, forming an em- 
bankment. 

"1 don't want to be in a hotter place than we had all 
day yesterday. Shortly after daylight they sent out their 
sharpshooters, who posted themselves on a rise a little to 
our right and front. There was considerable underbrush, 
and it was some time before they discovered us or we them. 
But soon one sharper-eyed than his comrades saw a 
Johnny stealing through the woods, and in a moment more 
spied their secure retreat. Of course the boys could not 
but fire away whenever one would show himself, and they 
too looked out our post, and soon were returning the com- 
pHment with interest. We soon found out that they were 
not simply pickets, they fired too accurately for that; they 
were trained sharpshooters, who could put a ball almost 
anywhere they desired. And they put in many a shot that 
afternoon far closer than was comfortable for us. We had 
an arbor of leaves above us as a shelter from the sun, and 
they shot two of the poles which sustained it clear oflf. 
They splintered the rails which formed our protection, and 
showered the dirt and bark on us. Nor did we submit to 
it all quietly. With guns ready and aimed we would stand 
at the works, and when a Johnny would show himself at 



l64 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

him would go a volley. Sometimes we would watch them 
so closely that they could not fire a shot for an hour. Then 
in turn they would keep us as close for an hour, and so 
the game went on all day, firing growing so sharp some- 
times as to almost bring the men in camp to the trenches. 
It's tiresome work, but still exciting, and this morning I 
feel as if I had done a week's hard labor. The whole woods 
here look worse than Chickamauga battlefield. Under- 
brush and trees six or eight inches in diameter are mowed 
ofif with bullets, until what was an impenetrable thicket is 
now almost a clearing. You can scarcely imagine how 
glad I was last night when I heard the relief coming, for 
I was tired and sleepy and wanted rest sadly. This morn- 
ing, just before daybreak, we had an alarm and were called 
to arms. It was only a sharp skirmish fight, however, and 
extended no farther." 

U. H. Farr: "The night of the twenty-fifth of August 
those who were detailed to go on picket were told to take 
everything with them, as they might not come back there 
again. At the hour for roll call, when the drums were beat- 
ing furiously, there could be distinguished the rumble of ar- 
tillery in the works, and the heavy tread of moving masses 
of men. At the usual time for the bands to play they 
poured forth the finest music the pickets had ever listened 
to, and when they heard the solemn but mournful tunes 
that have come down through the ages, the feeling that 
they had been deserted, and the loneliness of their position, 
was overpowering. Just before break of day the order 
came to move out. When they had reached a point over- 
looking and about a mile to the rear of the works, it was 
light enough to see the smoke of the rebels' morning 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA 165 

campfires. Everything seemed as quiet as the grave, not 
a shot could be heard in any direction. 

"A horseman was waiting at this elevation to observe 
the movements of the enemy. When they had marched 
a mile farther he overtook them and reported that he saw 
the rebels make the discovery of our supposed retreat. 
While they were getting breakfast they seemed to notice 
there was no smoke coming from our works, when some 
of them looked awhile, and one more venturesome than 
the others proceeded to step across the space dividing the 
skirmish lines, and finding them empty, hurried at a some- 
what faster pace to the main line of our fortifications. 
Mounting these he motioned to his comrades, and soon 
they were lined with the jubilant enemy. Before long a 
body of cavalry emerged from the works and sallied in the 
direction of the retreating pickets, but did not overtake 
them, for by nine or ten o'clock they had rejoined their 
commands." 

August thirtieth, Lieutenant Grubbs: "To-day the en- 
tire Twentieth Corps Hes upon the banks of the 
Chattahoochie, guarding communications and protecting 
supplies, while Sherman undertakes new and important 
operations against Atlanta. We had orders to have every- 
thing ready to march at eight o'clock on the night of the 
twenty-fifth. You may imagine it was no easy matter to 
slip out from under the eyes of the watchful enemy, who 
lay so near us. Only a hundred yards in front were hostile 
pickets, and we could scarce make a single movement 
without their knowledge. Already they seemed to have 
some hint of our going, for at early daybreak on the morn- 
ing of the twenty-fifth they had shelled our lines vigor- 
ously, evidently thinking that we had gone, but our 



l66 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

artillery soon convinced them that we were there. After 
dark tents were silently struck and baggage prepared for 
instant move. Bands all along the line struck up their 
liveliest notes, drums rattled their loudest, but it was only 
a clever ruse to drown the harsh rumbling of the artillery 
as it moved to the rear. Fires, too, glistened all along the 
line, as they had each night for weeks. Regiments were 
formed in the trenches, and at the signal, Yankee Doodle, 
by all the bands, all moved silently and quickly rearward. 
Half an hour passed and we heard taps sounded by the 
buglers left behind to a deserted camp. 

"Thus was effected our first withdrawal from the face of 
the enemy. We marched a mile to a good position on a 
hill, and there we lay in line while all our trains and 
plunder passed us. At two o'clock we marched for the 
river, six miles, reaching it just before day. That day and 
the next we lay in support of our First Division while it 
fortified. On the morning of the twenty-eighth we moved 
across the river and occupied old rebel works resting on 
the river and crossing the railroad. We are now on a ridge 
in a beautiful place, with a fine view of the surrounding 
country." 

U. H. Farr: "On the night of September first we heard 
the crashing of shells and heavy explosions in Atlanta, and 
could see a fire raging in the city. Early on the morning 
of the second we marched hurriedly through our old works, 
through the rebel works, into the city; the leading troops 
of our division skirmishing with a few rebel troops in the 
streets. The effect of our artillery and musketry fire was 
everywhere visible. Not a building but one or more shell 
holes through it, and many houses were dotted with minie 
balls. Long trains of cars had been destroyed the night 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA 167 

before, and fires were still burning. Lead from melted 
bullets had settled in depressions and cooled in masses a 
foot in thickness. It was very pleasant to see ammuni- 
tion used in this way by the rebels which had been intended 
for our destruction." 

Lieutenant Grubbs: "We entered Atlanta yesterday 
with flying colors, and are now encamped southwest of 
the city on the Augusta road. In all the northern end of 
the city there is not a house but has been riddled from 
fore to aft with shot and shell. Every residence, too, and 
front yard has its gopher hole, as well the lordly man- 
sion of the aristocrat as the humble cottage of the laborer. 
And when our shells came singing overhead, the silken- 
clad hostess of the mansion doubtless ran as nimbly to her 
house of refuge as did she of the cottage. War is no re- 
specter of persons." 

At last, after unflinching persistence and sufferings in- 
describable endured by the Northern men, the city of 
Atlanta lay helpless at the conquerors' feet. Only those 
who took part can know of the sickening horrors our army 
endured while it tried to wear the enemy out. Mosquitoes, 
fleas, ticks, lice, graybacks, snakes, spiders, tarantulas, 
scorpions, itch, scurvy, poison vines were our light afiflic- 
tions. Our grievous affliction was lying night after night 
in the accumulated nastiness that the filthy foe we were 
driving before us, inch by inch, had left behind. 

Doubtless the delicate reader who has had no such ex- 
perience will be disgusted by words that describe all too 
mildly the horrors of such a campaign. Let him not turn 
away in dismay from the truth, but think for a moment 
of the private soldier from a clean and comfortable home 
bearing this thing through the hot months of summer, his 



l68 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

skin eaten off by devilish, disgusting insects, his one suit 
of woolen clothing reeking with filth, his tortured body a 
target for bullets by night and by day, his misery ended 
only when his comrades, envying his release, cover him in 
the sand. 

A battle is terrible, but in all its terrors, and in all its 
grandeur, it can be described. Not so the wearing out 
of an enemy by enduring evils only hinted at above. 
Bravery is the brilliant, is the attractive virtue, but patience 
is the essence of many a grace, and to it the supremacy 
must be given. It should be kept in mind that our soldiers 
were but boys, bearing what might stagger men. A self- 
denying, uncomplaining spirit grew as these lads, night 
after night, looked up to the holy light of the stars; it 
spread as the reveille bugle music ran from brigade to 
brigade at each morning's dawn; it deepened as in darkness 
on lonely outpost the thought of home came with heavenly 
sweetness; it increased in the din of battle till the modest 
youths unconsciously displayed every virtue that mani- 
fests nobleness of soul. 

Back of bayonets must be men. It is iron in the blood, 
not weapons of iron, that wins. Reverence for right Is what 
gives dignity. That men can be found who do not flinch, 
but who quietly see the thing through, is what gives life 
its real grandeur. Moments or years are short or long, 
little or great, only as they contain experiences. Many 
an hour has more of "glorious life" than have ages when 
"wealth accumulates and men decay." In scenes like 
these shine forth virtues that prove the soul more priceless 
than the stars. The bright orbs above us have their years 
and cycles that speak of time and end, but majestic actions 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA 169 

and holy emotions foretell an existence whose scope is 
eternity. 

Our young men did not become prematurely old or 
unnaturally serious. Far from it. As long as they could 
keep with their companies there were the uniformly cheer- 
ful voices, ringing out in merry laughter at call of strange 
adventure or ludicrous surroundings. As the thrush on 
topmost twig of tallest tree, pouring forth his song till air 
above and air beneath quivers with the melody, suddenly 
ceases his minstrelsy forever, when sportsman's cruel shaft 
flings him fluttering with broken wing to darkened thicket 
and the shades of death, so the sound of boyish merriment 
is still only when fatal disease or mortal wound sends the 
drooping lads to the dreaded hospital. 

On September ninth an officer writes: "Darky Tom, 
while yawning just now, swallowed a yaller jacket, as he 
called it. The lazy scamp did some lively dancing for a 
few minutes. Tom is the gentleman of whom another 
African said, 'Lord, how dat ole nigga Tom yander did 
clime dat ar day de big fight on Peach Tree Crick.' All of 
us, however, ought to make good dancers or fine racers, for 
like prize fighters under training, flesh has been reduced 
till the calves are gone from our legs, and they are as 
straight up and down as a horse's. There is no danger now 
of receiving a fiesh wound, for it's bone or nothing." 

J. M. Wills: "After the surrender of Atlanta we camped 
in and around the city for one month, and when General 
Hood flanked Sherman and began his disastrous cam- 
paign, our brigade, on October second, went north eight 
miles, crossed the Chattahoochie River, going into camp 
four miles south of the crossing at Turner's Ferry, on 
October fifth, where we remained until Sherman was 



I70 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ready to start on his march to the sea. While in camp 
here the presidential election of 1864 took place, with Lin- 
coln and McClellan as candidates. The Hoosier boys were 
not granted the privilege that was given the boys of the 
Buckeye State, of voting and having their ballots counted. 
However, a Board of Election Officers was appointed, and 
an election held. Each man was supplied with two tickets, 
one with the name of Lincoln and the other with the name 
of McClellan, and without fear or intimidation deposited 
his ballot. Out of over five hundred votes cast Lincoln 
received all but ten. In a few days after the election we 
marched back to Atlanta, and the veterans and recruits of 
the Twenty-seventh Indiana were consolidated with our 
regiment." 

J. H. Kelly: "October twenty-first. — Great rejoicing 
over Governor Morton's re-election by thirty thousand 
majority. October twenty-seventh. — The Seventieth was 
paid ten months' wages. Company I sent home more than 
three thousand dollars. November second. — Orders for 
every man to provide himself with two pairs of shoes and 
sixty rounds of cartridges." 

Captain Carson: "Of the seventy-five men in my com- 
pany who started on this campaign only fourteen answer 
to their names. While the regiment was at Turner's Ferry, 
on the Chattahoochie River, after the fall of Atlanta, Com- 
pany G, with a detail of ten men from each of the other 
companies, while on a scouting expedition, came in con- 
flict, some miles from camp, with a division of rebel 
cavalry at Mitchell's Cross Roads. The detachment was 
promptly deployed as skirmishers, and began pushing the 
enemy, who being ignorant of the small number of his 
opponents, gradually fell back, finally retreating. The de- 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA I/l 

tachment returned safely to camp, rejoicing in the success 
of their blufif, and in the knowledge that five of the enemy 
had been wounded." 

U. H. Farr: "In the bottoms along the river grew large 
quantities of peas or beans, which the planters had raised 
for the purpose of feeding their stock, human and other- 
wise, the animals eating the stalks and pods, and the slaves 
the contents of the pods. As we were short of bread we 
found these peas wholesome food. A small piece of meat 
put in the boiHng pot with these peas made a dinner that 
was pronounced by those who partook as both rich and 
splendid; and if a pumpkin was found and added, the joy 
of the diners was unconfined. Now and then wild grapes, 
stewed with much sugar, garnished with persimmons, made 
a repast which all declared fit for General Sherman or 
Abraham Lincoln. As rebels were prov/ling about, there 
was some skirmishing, four companies being called out 
one day and the river bottom on each side scoured, and 
much distance-shooting done. Just before we left our 
camp at Atlanta we assisted the prisoners in pulling down 
a railroad bridge that spanned the river. A long rope was 
fastened to it, and our vigorous efforts swung the tall 
trestles out of balance, so that the whole structure fell into 
the stream with a mighty crash." 

The following is an extract from the report made by 
Capt. H. M. Scott touching the surrender of Atlanta: 

Headquarters Third Division, Twentieth Army Corps. 

Atlanta, Ga., September 3, 1864. 
General — I have the honor to submit the following report of 
reconnaissance made yesterday, which resulted in the occupa- 
tion of Atlanta by our forces: Taking the advance with cav- 
alry, I proceeded out Turner's Ferry road and, scouting coun- 



172 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

try thoroughly to right and left, advanced without opposition 
to the works in front of Atlanta formerly occupied by our di- 
vision. Soon after passing through the works, a body of men 
was observed coming out from the city. Advancing rapidly 
toward them, I discovered that they were citizens bearing a 
flag of truce. Going forward, I asked them what proposition 
they had to make. One of them then made himself known 
as the Mayor, and said that he had come to surrender the 
city and ask protection for non-combatants and private prop- 
erty. In answer to further interrogatives he said that General 
Ferguson's brigade was just retiring from the city, and that 
the General had agreed to withdraw without offering us re- 
sistance in order to insure the safety of non-combatants. Not- 
withstanding the assurance of the Mayor that resistance would 
not be offered us, we had scarcely entered the city before we 
were fired upon and a spirited skirmish ensued. I notified 
some of the citizens that we considered this as a violation of 
good faith, and that if the rebels continued to fire from be- 
hind houses they need expect no protection for persons or 
property, and that they had better communicate this fact to 
the enemy. The Mayor afterward went out and endeavored 
to stop the firing, but came back reporting that he could do 
nothing with the men; that it was but a few drunken strag- 
glers, and that they had come very near shooting him. The 
infantry skirmishers were then pushed forward and with the 
cavalry cleared the city. We first entered the city at about 9 
A. M., and about one hour afterward the surrender was made. 
About 2 P. M. part of the First and Second divisions came up, 
and soon after General Slocum arrived and took command. 
Attached hereto find copy of capitulation. 

I am. General, very respectfully, your obedient servant. 

H. M. SCOTT, 
Captain Seventieth Ind. Vol. Inf. and A. A. I. G., Third Div., 
Twentieth A. C. 

(Brig.-Gen. W. T. Ward, commanding Tliird Division.) 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA 173 

Atlanta, Ga., September 2, 1864. 
Brigadier-General Ward, Commanding Third Division, Twen- 
tieth Corps: 
Sir— The fortune of war has placed Atlanta in your hands. 
As Mayor of the city I ask protection to non-combatants and 
private property. ^^^^^ ^ CALHOUN, 

Mayor of Atlanta. 

Attest: 

H, M. SCOTT, . ^ 

Capt. and Actg. Asst. Insp. Gen., Third Div., Twentieth 

Army Corps. 
J. P. THOMPSON, 

Lieut, and Actg. Aide-de-Camp, Third Div., Twentieth 

Army Corps. 

Executive Mansion, 

Washington, D. C, Sept. 3, 1864. 
The National thanks are tendered by the President to Major 
General W. T. Sherman and the gallant officers and soldiers of 
his command before Atlanta, for the distinguished ability, 
courage, and perseverance displayed in the campaign in 
Georgia, which, under Divine favor, has resulted in the cap- 
ture of the city of Atlanta. The marches, battles, sieges, and 
other military operations that have signalized the campaign 
must render it famous in the annals of war, and have entitled 
those who have participated therein to the applause and 
thanks of the nation. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 

President of the United States. 

Headquarters First Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth Army 

Corps. 
Chattahoochee Railroad Bridge, Sept. 14. 1864. 
Captain: I have the honor, in pursuance of orders received, 
to submit the following report of the operations and move- 
ments of my brigade from the 21st day of July, 1864, to the 

2d inst. : 

On the 2ist day of July, my brigade rested in the breast- 
works built the night previous after the fight of the 20th was 



174 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ended, save such details as were necessary to bury the rebel 
dead within our Hnes. The enemy's works were plainly visible 
at some points in my front, and a good deal of movement was 
observed during the day within their lines. There was but 
little skirmish firing during the day, though some burial par- 
ties that were sent out in front of my works to collect and 
bury the rebel dead were fired upon by the enemy and com- 
pelled to retire. After this exhibition of bad faith, I made no 
further effort to reach the rebel dead that could be seen 
between our lines, and many were left when we moved the 
next morning, unburied, and so remained for several days. On 
the morning of the 226. of July the pickets discovered that the 
enemy had retreated, and orders were soon received to follow 
him. My brigade, having the advance of this division, moved 
out rapidly on the Buck Head road, with two companies of 
Spencer riflemen as an advance guard, the skirmishers having 
already moved forward on a line covering our front. The 
advance was made with rapidity, as the impression prevailed 
among most of the officers and men that we would be able to 
enter the city of Atlanta without further opposition. After 
moving about three miles, sharp skirmishing commenced on 
our right, and I at once brought two regiments into line to 
support the skirmishers and resist any sudden attack that 
might be made upon us. At this time the enemy's skirmishers 
were seen in an open field to our right, and not being able to 
determine whether they were advancing or retiring, and hav- 
ing at this time no connection with other troops, either on our 
right or on our left, we remained here a short time to await 
the appearance of other troops. The brigadier general com- 
manding the division having in the meantime moved on with 
the advanced guard, I received an order through Lieut.-Col. 
C. W. Asmussen, assistant inspector-general Twentieth Corps, 
to leave the road on which we were marching, and move 
obliquely to the right, in a southwesterly direction, to a high 
ridge and take position. Having formed my brigade in two 
lines, I moved to the point indicated, the Second and Third 
Brigades following by the flank, and took up a position where 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA 1 75 

I was directed by Col. Asmussen to remain until I received 
further orders. In reconnoitering the ground and looking 
about for the Second Division, with which we were to connect 
on the right, I found that we were far in advance of any other 
troops, and it was not till we had been some half an hour in 
this position that the skirmishers of the Second Division 
moved past me. The enemy's skirmish pits and skirmishers 
were in sight, and their main line of works not over 1,000 
yards distant. While lying in this position, I received several 
orders from the brigadier-general commanding the division to 
move my brigade forward, he being some distance in advance 
with my advance guard, but after submitting to his considera- 
tion the orders already received by me, I was left in position, 
and the Second Division was put in position on my left and 
the Third Brigade on my right, some distance retired. 
Intrenchments were at once constructed, at first of a frail 
character, but as the enemy very soon opened upon us with 
artillery they were made stronger. The brigade remained in 
this position until the 26th without anything important occur- 
ring, except that the line was advanced about forty rods on 
the 24th. On the 26th our entire division was relieved by the 
Second Division, and was put in reserve, where we remained 
until the 29th. On the 29th the entire division was removed 
to the extreme right of the army to support a reconnaissance 
to be made by Davis' division of the Fourteenth Corps. The 
reconnaissance was made without any fighting, and our 
division rested for the night in a large field about one mile in 
advance of the works of the Army of the Tennessee. On the 
day following, Davis' division again moved to the right, and 
went into position, and our division formed in the rear of the 
right of that division, and at right angles with it to cover the 
flanks. A line of works was here constructed, but no enemy 
was seen even by our pickets. We remained in this position 
during the 31st day of July and the ist day of August, and 
on the 2d moved to the left of our line and encamped for the 
night near the railroad. 

On the morning of the 3d of August my brigade moved up 



176 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

and relieved Moore's brigade, of the Fourteenth Army Corps, 
in the works, my left resting on the railroad. On the day fol- 
lowing we built and occupied an advanced line of works and 
continued to hold them without any change of importance 
occurring until the nth of August, when the right of my line 
for the length of three regiments was again advanced. On 
the 14th and 15th I planned and constructed a lunette on the 
left of my line for the four guns stationed at that point (one 
section Battery I, First Michigan, and one section Battery C, 
First Ohio) with a view to give better range and more security 
to the guns. From that time until the night of the 25th no 
change took place within our lines. 

During all the time we lay before the city very active picket 
firing was kept up, and frequently we were subjected to a 
severe and well directed fire of shell from the enemy's forts. 
Almost every day casualties occurred within my lines, and it 
was in many places impossible to show a head above the works 
without it being made a target for rebel sharpshooters. The 
men were compelled to keep continually under cover and 
suffered great constraint by being kept so continuously in 
the ditches, which were frequently very wet and muddy. 
Many casualties occurred while men were sitting in their 
tents close behind the works, and several were killed while 
asleep in their bunks. The enemy's works were not more than 
600 yards from my lines, and their gunners could be plainly 
seen from my lines with the naked eye when using the rammer. 
Our picket-lines were in some places not more than fifty paces 
apart. On the afternoon of the 25th of August I was ordered 
to report to Brig.-Gen. Williams, commanding Twentieth 
Army Corps, for orders, and having done so, was ordered by 
him to report to Brig.-Gen. Knipe, commanding the First 
Division, Twentieth Army Corps. From the latter I received 
orders to withdraw my brigade from the works at 8 P. M. and 
form it in mass on a range of hills about a quarter of a mile 
to the rear, near the Marietta road, there to await the move- 
ments of the Fourth Corps to the right of the army, and then 
to move in the rear of Brig.-Gen. Ruger's brigade by the 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA 177 

Marietta road to the Chattahoochee river. These orders were 
executed, and the brigade arrived without loss at the river 
about davHght on the morning of the 26th, and was put in 
reserve until it should be ascertained whether the enemy 
would follow up our movement. On the afternoon of the 
27th, I was ordered by Maj.-Gen. Slocum to report to him 
for orders, and was by him put in position on the north side 
of the Chattahoochee river in the old line of rebel works for 
the purpose of covering the trains, and commissary and 
ordnance depots, my flanks resting on the river, where I have 
remained until this time, except that when the First Division 
moved into the occupancy of the city of Atlanta, I was ordered 
to put one regiment into position on the south side of the river 
to cover the bridge. 

Not having had the opportunity in former reports rendered 
from me during the campaign suitably to acknowledge the 
services of Lieut. George W. Gilchrist, my pioneer officer, I 
take this occasion to say that his skill in his department, his 
energy and courage, deserve the highest commendation. He 
was ever ready to go to the skirmish line or beyond it, if work 
was to be done there, and any work entrusted to him was 
promptly and skilfully done. I submit herewith the reports 
of my regimental commanders, and also a hst of killed and 
wounded for the period embraced in the report. List shows 
I officer and 8 men killed, i officer and 52 men wounded. 
Total, 63. Respectfully submitted, 

BENJAMIN HARRISON, 
Col. Commanding ist Brig., 3d Div., 20th Army Corps. 

Capt. John Speed, 

Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Headquarters First Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth Army 

Corps. 
Chattahoochee River, Sept. 5, 1864. 
Colonel — I disposed of my troops at daylight yesterday 
morning, according to the directions contained in your letter 
of the night before. The Thirty-third Massachusetts was 



178 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

placed on the south side of the river, covering the bridges, as 
I thought it could be best spared from my line on this side. 
This morning I have ordered that regiment forward to 
Atlanta, in obedience to a telegram received from you last 
evening, and have put the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois in 
the place occupied by it on the south side of the river. Mov- 
ing these two regiments from my line on the north, will com- 
pel me to-day to take up a new and a shorter line. This I shall 
do by occupying the shortest line outside of the depot of sup- 
plies stored here until these supplies are removed, when I pro- 
pose to still further contract my lines, and occupy the line of 
rebel defenses in which our artillery has been. I hope these 
supplies may be removed as soon as possible, as while they 
remain, my lines are so extended as to be weak and unsafe. 
If I am expected to remain here for any length of time, I wall 
construct some blockhouses on the south side of the river for 
the better defense of the bridge. I think about four good 
blockhouses would cover all of the approaches on the south 
side. I would like, if possible, to have some artillery left here, 
as in case an attack should be made with artillery the bridge 
might be battered down from some of the many hills about 
which command it. If the major-general commanding has 
any commands as to the line he wants me to occupy, or the 
character of the defenses he desires constructed here, I should 
be glad to receive them. I hope within a few days to see him 
in the city and explain more fully my views as to the best 
defense of this point, but for the present, time is too much 
occupied to admit of my leaving. 

Very respectfully yours, 

BENJAMIN HARRISON, 

Colonel Commanding. 
Lieut.-Col. H. W. Perkins, 

Assistant Adjutant-General, Twentieth Army Corps. 

Near Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 22, 1864. 
The regiment marched from Wauhatchie Valley at 6:30 
A. M. on May 2, 1864, marching via Gordon's Mills, passing 
three miles south of Ringgold. Whilst crossing Taylor's 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA 179 

Ridge Lieut. Hardenbrook, in charge of a squad of ten men, 
surprised the enemy's pickets, capturing three men, together 
with some other things. Encamped on the night of the 7th in 
front of Dug Gap, where the regiment was held, in expectation 
of being engaged, until the morning of the nth; marched at 
5 o'clock into Snake Creek Gap; spent part of the day cut- 
ting out and widening the road; marched then in the direc- 
tion of Resaca. During the afternoon of the 13th of May we 
met the enemy and were shelled by them till late in the even- 
ing; moved out to the front line; moved to the left and were 
placed in position in the front line at 10 P. M, ; picket firing 
during the night without any casualties. On the morning of 
the 14th, at dawn of day, brisk skirmishing commenced. Dur- 
ing the fore part of the day Company D was sent out to ascer- 
tain the strength and position of the enemy; had not advanced 
far until the firing was so heavy as to compel them to seek 
shelter, where they were under the necessity of remaining 
until after night. The regiment at i P. M. was ordered to 
advance, but the fire of the enemy was so terrific as to soon 
check them and to satisfy all of the strength of the enemy, and 
that it was not practicable to attempt to charge them across 
an open field with a deep and swampy creek running through 
it. The regiment lost during the day three men killed and 
thirteen men wounded. A detail worked all night on rifle- 
pits. 

On the morning of the 15th, moved to the extreme left 
of the line; unslung knapsacks and formed in five lines just 
beyond the crest of a hill in front of the rebel fort and breast- 
works. At I P. M. the Third Division, Twentieth Army 
Corps (with the Seventieth Indiana leading the charge in 
front of the fort) charged the fort and earthworks and cap- 
tured the battery, consisting of two sections, 12-pounder brass 
pieces, mounted. During the charge and taking the artillery 
out of the fort, the Seventieth Regiment lost, in killed, 26 
men; wounded, 126 men and four commissioned officers; 
aggregate, 156. On the i8th our forces came in contact with 
the enemy near Cassville, and were engaged all day in skirm- 



l8o THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ishing and artillery firing, the Seventieth had one man 
wounded. May 25th, ran into the enemy in front of Lost 
Mountain, near Dallas. On that evening the Seventieth was 
not engaged in the fight, yet had one man killed and several 
wounded by shells. The regiment was engaged all night 
building breastworks. From May 25th to June ist was part 
of the time in front line and part of the time in second line, and 
had her quota on the skirmish line, with loss of only a few 
men. The brigade moved to the left from time to time until 
the 15th day of June, when our forces advanced on the enemy, 
driving him from his first line of works, and about 5 P. M, 
drove their skirmishers back into their strong works, at which 
time the First Brigade attacked them on the Sandtown road at 
Golgotha Church. From some want of a correct knowledge 
of the ground or pressure from the left the Seventieth Indiana 
was thrown across the Sandtown road in an exposed position 
in front of the enemy's masked artillery, where Cleburn's 
division fired 135 rounds of shot, shell and canister at our 
line during the hour and twenty-five minutes that the regiment 
lay in its perilous position. The casualties of the regiment 
were 3 commissioned officers and 43 men wounded and 3 men 
killed. From the 15th day of June to the 20th day of July, 
the regiment was more or less engaged more or less of the 
time in skirmishing, supporting batteries, etc. During that 
space of time there was quite a number of casualties. On the 
20th day of July the Seventieth was engaged in battle on 
Peach Tree Creek; in the formation was in second line, yet 
during the engagement, a charge was made and they passed 
through the first line, and intrenched themselves on the crest 
of the hill in the front line. The regiment lost in that battle 
I commissioned oflftcer and 4 privates killed, and 2 commis- 
sioned officers and 25 men wounded. Total, 32. 

On July 22 the Twentieth Corps moved in the direction 
of Atlanta till our advance was repulsed by the shot and shell 
from the enemy's forts around the city. Our brigade. (First) 
took a position on the north of the city, and built breastworks 
midst the bursting shells of the enemy's artillery; participated 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA l8l 

in some warm skirmishing, and after a few days advanced 
some 200 yards, and built a second line of works. On the 
28th our brigade was ordered to the right to support the Fif- 
teenth Corps, where it remained for one week and then 
returned to Atlanta and went into the works west of the Chat- 
tanooga railroad. The brigade advanced and built two new 
and very strong lines of works, with more or less casualties 
every day till the 25th day of August, when the Twentieth 
Corps was ordered to fall back and the Seventieth took a posi- 
tion on the north side of the Chattahoochee, where our regi- 
ment was employed in picket duty, and fatigue in unloading 
and storing commissaries, ammunition, etc., till the i6th day 
of September; marched into Atlanta and went into camp on 
the south side of the city. Respectfully submitted, 

Z. S. RAGAN, 
Major Commanding Seventieth Indiana Vol. Inf. 

Headquarters Seventieth Indiana. 

Turner's Ferry, Oct. 21, 1864. 

Colonel — I have the honor to make the following report 
relating to information elicited to-day from a reconnaissance 
made by a portion of my force: 

The enemy that my men encountered on the 19th appear, 
from the discoveries since made, to have been four brigades of 
cavalry, Gen. Armstrong, commanding division; Gens. Jack- 
son, Ferguson and one other General (name unknown), com- 
manding brigades. They were mounted on mules and horses, 
many of them without saddles. They came in on the Gun- 
powder road, via Powder Springs, and seemed to have 
intended crossing at this and Howell's Ferry, but my detach- 
ment, meeting their advance guard at two diflferent points, 
deployed, drove them back a mile and a half, and doubtless 
they were deceived and thought my force to be the advance 
of a strong force. They fell back (the citizens say) in great 
excitement across or in the direction of Sweet Water. They 
crossed their cattle over the Chattahoochee that night about 
midnight, yet the force were still encamped seven or eight 



l82 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

miles below here last night. Have no intimations of their 
movements or intentions since. The signs of the enemy seen 
by my men to-day corroborate the statements of citizens and 
negroes in that vicinity. There was no artillery seen; they 
had forty-one Union soldiers prisoners, reported to have been 
captured at Smyrna. 

Very respectfully your obedient servant, 

Z. S. RAGAN, 
Maj. Commanding Regiment. 
Col. F. C. Smith, 

Commanding First Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth 

Army Corps. 

Headquarters Seventieth Indiana. 

Turner's Ferry, Chattahoochee River, Ga., Oct. 23, 1864. 

Lieutenant — In compliance with a request of Gen. Slocum, 
I have the honor to transmit the following detailed account of 
the skirmishing of part of my command with the rebels on the 
19th instant: 

About 11:30 A. M. information reached me that rebel 
cavalry were seen down the river. I ordered out immediately 
Capt. Carson, with thirty men instructed to proceed cautiously 
down the river at about two miles distant, and parallel the 
river. Lieut. Hardenbrook, with thirty men, was ordered 
down between Capt. Carson's force and the river, with instruc- 
tions to support each other in case of necessity. Capt. Tansey 
and Lieut. McCracken, with thirty men, were crossed over 
the river on the south side, and sent down on that side. After 
moving out two miles and a half, Capt. Carson engaged the 
advance guard of the enemy. After considerable skirmishing 
drove them back one mile and a half near the main force, 
where they dismounted and occupied some old works and 
houses, and kept up a fight for several hours. During this 
time Lieut. Hardenbrook had come in contact with another 
party, on or near the river at Howell's Ferry. Toward night 
the enemy retreated and fell back onto their main force, which 
by this time became apparent from the noise, confusion, and 
hallooing, as though they were driving stock. During the 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA 183 

time that Capt. Carson was so briskly engaged, I sent out 
Lieut. Stafford, with fifteen men, to support him, and to pre- 
vent the enemy flanking or coming around in his rear. Shortly 
after this, I received orders from brigade headquarters to 
order my men in, and did so. Owing to the fact that my men 
were deployed and instructed to keep themselves confined to 
the woods, so as not to allow the enemy to ascertain their 
strength, together with the bold dash and rapid firing, led the 
enemy to suppose they were the skirmish line of a heavy force. 
Under this false impression, they pulled up stakes and 
marched till 9 o'clock that evening, crossing Sweet Water. 
Before, however, they gained shelter under the old breast- 
works, my men unhorsed a number of them, and a lady, who 
lives near where the skirmishing took place, states that they 
pressed her wagon to haul off three wounded men, two of 
them badly shot through the body, and the other through the 
shoulder. They also had an ambulance along, but these were 
all the wounded that the lady saw. There were no casualties 
on our side. From a reconnaissance made on the 21st by 
Lieut. Hardenbrook and forty-five men, he ascertained that at 
the time the skirmishing took place that the enemy lay just 
below the Howell's Ferry road, and extended from the river to 
Mitchell's crossroads, a distance of four miles. They had 
some cattle and forty odd prisoners. Had no artillery that we 
can learn; were strictly cavalry, without any baggage train; 
represented to be three or four brigades, by some as being 
3,000 strong. 

Among the names of officers in command were Gen. Arm- 
strong, said to be commanding division; Gens. Jackson and 
Ferguson, and one other (the name not given), as com- 
manders of brigades. Their movement was westward, said 
to be in the direction of Blue Mountains, and not to have 
crossed the Chattahoochee river. Boasted that they got ahead 
of Gen. Kilpatrick this time, etc. Z. S. RAGAN, 

Major Commanding Seventieth Ind. Vol. Inf. 

Lieut. J. H. Snyder, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 



l84 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ITINERARY OF THE TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS, 
MAY 3-SEPT. 8. 

(From monthly returns. Maj.-Gen. Joseph Hooker com- 
manded the corps to July 2"], 1864; Brig.-Gen. Alpheus S. 
Williams to Aug. 2^, 1864, and Maj.-Gen. Henry W. Slocum, 
the remainder of the campaign.) 

The corps, heretofore stationed along the line of com- 
munications from Chattanooga to Nashville, was about May 
3 concentrated (except the Fourth Division, which remained 
on the railroad) in the vicinity of Chattanooga, and has taken 
an active part in the campaign of the Army of the Cum- 
berland. 

May 8 — The Second Division was engaged at Mill Creek 
Gap, near Dalton. 

May 14 — The First Division engaged on the extreme left 
of the army, near Resaca. 

May 15 — The whole corps engaged, assaulting the enemy's 
works on their extreme left at Resaca; captured the works 
and four pieces of artillery. During the night the enemy 
withdrew, burning the bridges. 

May 16 — Pursuit commenced. 

May 25 — Came up with the enemy near Dallas. An attack 
was made, in which the whole corps was engaged. 

May 26 to 30 inclusive — Held a line in front of the enemy's 
works near Dallas; skirmish fire constant and heavy, with 
many casualties. 

June I — Relieved from the position, the corps assumed in 
front of the enemy's works near Dallas; moved to the left in 
the direction of Ackworth about five miles, taking again a 
position in the general line. 

June 6 — Crossed Allatoona Creek and took position in 
front of enemy's works near Pine Hill. 

June 15 — Pine Hill evacuated by enemy; engaged the 
enemy near Lost Mountain; gained position near their 
intrenchments. 

June 17 — Enemy evacuated works in our front, falling back 



CAPTURE OF ATLANTA 185 

to a line between Mud Creek and Noye's Creek; corps 
advanced and again assumed position in front of them. 

June 19 — Enemy evacuated works in our front, falling back 
to a line on the east side of Noye's Creek; corps again 
advanced and took position in their front. 

June 22 — Corps advanced, driving in enemy's outposts, the 
First Division moving to the right. A heavy attack was 
made on it by the enemy, which was repulsed with slight 
loss to us; enemy retreated to their intrenchments, the corps 
taking a position in front of them. At the end of the month 
the position remained unchanged. During the whole month 
skirmishing with the enemy has been constant and heavy, 
with many casualties. Total number of casualties during the 
month, 1,544. 

July I — Corps still in position in front of the enemy near 
Kolb's Farm. 

July 3 — Enemy evacuated their works; corps advanced 
through Marietta, the Third Division having a slight engage- 
ment with enemy's rear guard (cavalry and artillery) near 
Marietta; the Second Division also skirmishing; assumed 
position in front of enemy's works about six miles south of 
Marietta, 

July 5 — Enemy evacuated their works; the corps again 
advanced; took position in front of the enemy^ who were in 
their works on the north side of Chattahoochee River. 

July 9 — Enemy withdrew across the river. 

July 17 — Corps crossed Chattahoochee River. 

July 18 and 19 — Advancing toward Atlanta, skirmishing 
with enemy. 

July 19 — The Second Division crossed Peach Tree Creek. 

July 20 — Balance of corps crossed. Battle of Peach Tree 
Creek. 

July 22 — Enemy evacuated works in our front, retiring to 
the fortifications about Atlanta; the corps, following, took up 
position in their front. 

July 31 — Position remains unchanged. 

Casualties for month, 2,007. 



l86 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

By general orders from headquarters, Department of the 
Cumberland, the artillery of the corps was, on July 27th, 
detached from the divisions and organized into an artillery 
brigade, under command of Maj. Reynolds, First New York 
Artillery. 

The whole corps in the trenches in front of Atlanta, Ga., 
occupying 2 3-4 miles of the line until the 25th (August). 

August 25 — The corps was moved back to the Chatta- 
hoochee River to hold the crossing places and guard the rail- 
road communications, while the balance of the army operated 
south of Atlanta. 

August 26 and 2.y — Skirmished with enemy, who advanced 
to feel our position. 

August 28 to 31 inclusive — Skirmishing, occasioned by 
daily reconnaissances sent from our position toward the city. 

Position unchanged at end of month. Casualties during 
month, 240. 

September i — Corps in position, covering the crossing of 
the Chattahoochee River, First Division, with the First 
Brigade, Third Division, at railroad crossing; Second Division 
at Pace's Ferry, and the Third Division at Turner's Ferry; 
reconnoitering party sent out from the First Division toward 
Atlanta; found it still occupied by the enemy. 

September 2 — Reconnaissance sent from each division, and 
finding the city evacuated, took possession. On this, and the 
following day, the whole corps, except the First Brigade, 
Third Division, marched into the city and took possession of 
the works. This brigade remained at the river to guard the 
railroad bridge until the i6th, when it was also ordered up, 
leaving one regiment (the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois) to 
guard the bridge. 



CHAPTER XL 

"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 

As has been intimated, the hospital was the place the 
good soldier dreaded, and even now that nearly two-score 
years have softened its mournful memories, shadows never 
to vanish linger about the melancholy spot where the sink- 
ing patriot breathed his last sigh. Yet no history of the 
Seventieth Indiana would be complete unless mention were 
made of these transitory dwelling places of the sick and 
wounded, of the work of the surgeons, and the noble 
sacrifices of those nurses who toiled without remunera- 
tion. 

To the question of the reader, what can cheer the gloom 
of the field hospital, where the dying soldier longs for 
home, and tossing in feverish slumbers whispers the name 
of sister, wife or mother, memory brings the answer. 
Sweet, self-denying patriotism inspired women to come 
and bend over the lowly cots and comfort as best they 
could the last hours of the departing. The menial services 
of bathing the feet of the tired boy, whose earthly march 
is well nigh ended, and who is on the brink of a long 
journey, has in its ministry a tender grace that makes us 
know what angels are. The heavenly sunlight flooding the 
rugged landscape, till rock and bush and tree take on 
celestial beauty, and the roadside pool reflects the azure 
dome, is but faintly emblematic of the wondrous power 
of woman's holy love. 

"Captain," the author asked of a comrade, "what of 
all you saw will stay with you longest?" He was silent for 

187 



l88 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

a moment, and then replied:* 'There was a lovely lady 
who left her home of comfort and refinement and came to 
the army in the field. One day I entered the hospital and 
saw her, basin and towel in hand, going from cot to cot, 
washing the feet of the sick, the wounded and the dying, 
gently preparing the worn out lads to enter the land of 
eternal rest. The act was done with such gracious humil- 
ity, as if it were a privilege, that I turned away with my 
eyes full of tears, and I say to you now, that after all other 
earthly scenes have vanished, this upon which a radiance 
from Heaven falls will abide forever." 

The following extracts are from the journal of Mrs. John 
L. Ketcham, mother of J. L. Ketcham, Jr., of Company 
K, who with Miss Betty Bates, aunt of Maj. S. C. Vance, 
spent several months in the hospitals at Gallatin, Tennes- 
see: 

"A company was being raised in our neighborhood for 
the Seventieth Indiana, All the boys on the hill around 
us and in our Sabbath school, and all the men in the church 
between the ages of eighteen and forty-five joined the 
company or enlisted in some other regiment. While the 
Seventieth was at Bowling Green I worked in the kitchen 
at home, putting up quantities of jelly, marmalade, pickles 
of every variety, anything that would be a relish with their 
bacon, beans, hard tack and rice. I even tried to make 
concentrated milk, which the boys thought too good to 
dissolve in coffee and ate as candy. As a relief to this kind 
of work I visited the hospitals in the city, and in the even- 
ing sat in my corner knitting. One Sunday evening some 
of the family happened to look at me, and exclaimed at 
my knitting, just as on week days. I had heard how the 

*Miss Catharine Merrill who died May 30, 1900. 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 189 

soldiers suffered for want of socks, and I could not sit still 
and think of their cold, bare feet. 

"When Dr. Bullard returned from Gallatin and told his 
story of the suffering, he asked, 'Are there no two women 
who will go?' Miss Bates responded at once. I pondered 
over it. Leave such a family ? But how many husbands had 
left their wives and children; how many sons their homes. 
Yes, I could go. I could surely trust the children to those 
around and to Providence. I might knit on forever, make 
all the good things I could and send boxes, but in a few 
weeks' nursing perhaps I could save life. At any rate I 
could do far more than I was doing. So Miss Bates and 
I were made ready and were off with speed toward our field 
of labor. 

"Of course we were ignorant, there being no one who 
could instruct us; so we had to use our own judgment. 
We reached Gallatin at nightfall. Miss Bates said, 'We 
are so tired, let us go to a hotel and have a good night's 
rest first.' Hotel! There was scarcely a place in town 
that was not full to overflowing with sick soldiers. I said, 
'Let us go to headquarters and report ourselves at once.' 
So we went to the Medical Department. They took us 
over to General Paine's till they could consider where they 
could put us. Somebody gave up his room till we could 
be better situated. We hoped better when we saw the 
supper and breakfast. A little hill or island of bacon fried 
to cracklings in the middle of a lake of grease; cold beans, 
biscuit as heavy as lead, muddy coffee that tasted of any- 
thing but coffee. 

"The next day we were taken to the place where we were 
to board. Our room was large, airy, had a high ceiling, 
bare floor, with a good bed and a wide fireplace. The 



190 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

back stick would last all night, which was well, for never 
was there a stick cut ahead. The wood had to be cut 
every morning before the kitchen fire could be started. As 
for kindling, they knew nothing better than to split off 
the chips with their hands, and to wait till the fire burned. 
Company K was stationed at Pilot Knob, fiye miles south 
on the Nashville road. Lew was postmaster, so he had to 
come to town often, so I saw him and heard from the rest. 

"Our hostess was a lady, pretty, good-natured and very 
kind to us, and what was more, kept a good table. Our 
host looked like a typical slave hunter, short, stout, with 
bushy, standing-up hair. General Dumont had him in 
prison three months in Nashville for being a spy. I have 
no doubt he was. He was a personal friend of General 
Morgan. His doors w^ere never locked at night, and I 
felt they were left open that Morgan might run in at any 
time for safety, or for a good square sleep. I would think 
sometimes I heard him coming in. 

"They put us in charge of a female seminary building. 
It was packed with cots, and on every cot was a sick man. 
Even the platform where the piano had stood was full. It 
seemed to me when I went into this room in the morning 
I took my life in my hands, or else it was really in God's 
hands. The doctors told me I must take something to 
prevent that poisonous atmosphere taking hold of me. I 
talked with my brother. He said his idea was, that when 
the system let down after the stimulating effect was off, 
was the time one took disease. That agreed with my idea; 
so I never took anything, and before we were through 
every doctor in town had his turn of typhoid fever, and 
I was the only one who kept entirely well. 

"The men and everything looked pitifully dirty, but 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 191^ 

it would take time to straighten them out, and I'd have 
to begin very slowly. I had the soldier nurse take one 
man, wash him all over and prop him up by the fireside, 
while he sunned and washed the bed and floor underneath. 
I felt panic struck — what if the man should die? it would 
end my work there. But he lived and looked more com- 
fortable; and the cleaning process went on as rapidly as 
possible. 

"It was coming Christmas time. I said to Betty, 'The 
way to men's hearts is said to be through their stomachs. 
Let us give them a Christmas dinner.' How she did laugh. 
'A Christmas dinner, out of what?' I did not know. The 
road was broken, no supplies coming in, but we could try. 
I consulted with the head ones, and they all tried to get 
lambs and chickens for us. When the animals came they 
were so scrawny, but little else beside skin and bone. 
Boihng was the only possible way of cooking anything, 
so we'd cook them together; perhaps a little of the rich- 
ness of the lamb would be imparted to the chicken. When 
they were done they were separated and different gravies 
were made, and so were served up, and the eaters were 
none the wiser. Mrs. Paine offered her daughter to help 
wait on the table, and she brought veritable tea and loaf 
sugar. I had brought plenty of both, but took hers. We 
had a strip of white muslin for a tablecloth, and a bless- 
ing, which made it seem more homelike. The pitiful looks 
of the lamb and chicken I can never forget. One little 
disagreement came up. The doctors and Betty wanted 
eggnog for dessert. I said I would not have anything to 
do with that; so I would take charge of those who were too 
sick to leave their beds. The sick and wounded soldiers 
ate first, then came the soldier nurses. When the doctors 



192 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

came to eat, lo and behold the nurses had drunk all the 
eggnog. The consequence was they were in bed all after- 
noon sleeping off their nog. The doctors were mad, and 
I laughed, but only in my sleeve. 

"One of my first suggestions was to make all clean on 
Saturday, preparatory to keeping the Sabbath. Everybody 
said, 'What's the use?' I said, 'Keeping the Sabbath was 
one of the army regulations.' We could not have much to 
eat; Morgan had the road, so we could not get anything 
from home, even letters, but we could be clean. So every 
Saturday night there was a grand cleaning up, and the 
sick in their cots, the men on the fence in their clean white 
shirts, looked so comfortable. Betty was taken to a church 
full of sick men, as it did not seem right to put so much 
force into one building. The doctors showed me jars and 
jars of tapioca, and asked, 'What do you do with this?' 
I said, 'I'll see,' but I could have done better, only we had 
so few apples. Some kind of a pudding was made, and the 
men liked it, but said they would like the apples just as 
well without that stuff around them. I told them the 
doctors said it was good for them. There was no need 
saying how plenty tapioca was and how scarce apples were. 
The man in charge of the store room said, 'What do you 
do with these?' showing little bags of dried elderberries. 
I knew people did use them, but I never had seen or tasted 
one. I said, 'Give some to me and some jelly.' So I saw 
to the stewing and the seasoning with jelly, and had the 
cook make pies for the nurses. Their's is a hard berth, and 
they were so grateful. Give a Hoosier man a pie! One 
evening the ghost of a man was flitting in and out of the 
shadow of the stairway in the hall. At last, when I was 
passing, he got up courage enough to say, 'Could I have 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 193 

a piece of pie? I go home to-morrow.' As if they would 
not feed him on pie there. 

"On Sunday, as much as I could, I went around and 
read from the Bible or hymn book. Once when I read the 
Thirty-seventh Psalm one man said, 'Where is that?' 
Truly it had never seemed so impressive to me. One 
Sunday I was going through the hall and met one of the 
doctors rubbing his hands and saying, 'It is wonderful 
what a woman can do.' Once when I was reading a hymn 
to a sick soldier another said, T shouldn't wonder if she 
could sing.' So I sang. A dying man, who had noticed 
nothing, evidently heard it.* 

"The fame of our Christmas dinner went through all 
the churches and storeroom hospitals, and they spoke of 
it so enviously that I said, T will come around and give 
a dinner out of the best you have to every one of you.' 
So I did. The church next me was the Erysipelas Hos- 
pital. I dreaded to go in there. One man said, 'Have you 
any more of that stuff you used to fix with apples when I 
was in your hospital?' I said, 'I do not remember you. 
He said, 'I am the one you gave the pillow to.' I remem- 
bered then that when two men were brought in, I said, 
'There is but one blanket and one pillow. I shall have to 
give the blanket to one man and the pillow to the other.' 

"Our landlady, hearing so much of the sick soldiers, and 
wishing to know what was going on in her town, invited 
herself to go around with us. So we took her into several 
houses. There were thirteen hospitals in all. One of the 
most direful rooms was up a steep and narrow stair; a 
storeroom over a store, rough, dark, large, with low ceil- 



*She had a very sweet voice. 



194 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ing, and filled to the utmost. One bright-eyed soldier 
said, 'I wish I could get well. My mother needs me; my 
brother died in the army, and she has nobody home with 
her but a brother too young to know how to help her 
much.' He never got home. When we got to the foot of 
the stairs our companion's strength was gone, and she 
leaned against the house and said, 'Oh Lordy!' How often 
I have thought the same thing. 

"When the road was broken what longing there was for 
letters. We wrote many for the sick. When the road was 
open he was happiest who got the most. One old man for 
whom I had written had been longing to hear. I said 
'Why, you got a letter.' 'Yes, but it didn't tell no news.' 
He never got home either. His wife wrote me a grateful 
letter after I got back. They were Kentuckians. 

"The kitchen like all Southern kitchens was away from 
the house. I was standing in the door one morning when 
I saw Lew spring from his horse. While he was tying the 
animal to a sapling, two men were talking. 'Do you bet 
he'll go round and come through the house, or make 
straight for his mother through that mud? I'll bet he'll 
pull straight through.' I felt a little anxious, but here he 
came through the soft deep mud straight as an arrow to 
the mark. 

"They must have a visit from us at Pilot Knob. So we 
were taken down in their coach and four, which was an 
army wagon. Found their parlor, bed room and all the 
premises swept and garnished. The Captain had vacated 
his tent for us. Jerry, his servant, had brought home a 
turkey for the occasion, to his surprise. 'Why,' said the 
Captain, 'where did you get this?' 'I was jis gwine long and 
he up and bit me. I wasn't gwine to have none of that, so I 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 195 

jis captured him.' So we had roast turkey with corn bread 
dressing. We enjoyed it all sitting on boxes around the 
table out of doors. The view was fine. 

"On our return to Gallatin we found that our escort, 
Lew and his friends, would be late in getting back to Pilot 
Knob, and he had not the countersign. What could he do? 
Miss Bates, who had the courage for any emergency, said, 
I'll go into the ofifice and ask. An officer gave it to her on 
a scrap of paper and said, 'Now what if he should be at- 
tacked on the way back? Do you realize the risk? If 
they should get this it would go like Hght, and bring us no 
end of trouble.' *I understand,' she said, 'he will swallow 
it.' 

"After the Hartsville fight eight men were brought in 
with their legs shot off above the knee, two to our hospital. 
One died immediately, the other hngered on. The artery 
was tied again and again, but would still slough off. Then 
he lay white and still; might bleed to death at any moment. 
I read hymns, placing myself so that the sound of my voice 
might surely reach him, and he not see the distressed sym- 
pathy in my face. In reading 'O Mother Dear, Jerusa- 
lem,' when I would come to that line, 'O God, if I were 
there,' it thrilled me so I could hardly bear it. When I 
read, 'On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,' I thought I heard 
a sound, but he was so weak I did not like to ask if he 
spoke, when a nurse sitting on the floor by the fire, with 
head all shaven from erysipelas, and face all discolored 
with iodine, said: 'He said read it again.' .There was an 
old green house on our ground. About all that was left 
was a rose geranium 'blooming alone.' I daily plucked 
some of those leaves and took to him. They looked 
green and fresh and their fragrance is rare. The nurse 



196 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

said, 'He held them in his fingers all night long.' I came 
in one morning, he was not there. The nurse said, 'He 
held on to them greens to the last, and told me I was to 
give his respects to you.' 

"Brother sent in to me to come down again to Pilot 
Knob, as Robert Cathcart was very sick. He took me to 
a cabin that I should think had been there in George Wash- 
ington's time. They had got a kind of a lounge for 
Robert, but he had to lie with his head to the fire. When 
I was starting our Doctor said take everything you want. 
So I did. I thought rice would be good for them. But 
as I was opening my stores, my brother looking on, said 
of the rice, 'You might as well pour that out; the boys have 
had so much they are sick of it.' One half of the cabin was 
shut ofif by a board across, and inside of that was covered 
with straw, so those who were nearly down sick could sleep 
there better than in their tents. One coughed so badly 
I didn't see how anybody could sleep. I watched the sick 
man, and the process of getting supper. It was mostly 
flapjacks, flour stirred up in cold water, a little salt, then 
poured into a long handled frying pan, well greased and 
hot. When thought to be brown, by a sleight of hand, 
which must have been learned from the darkies, the cook 
gave the pan a toss and turned it over. I was so stunned 
with the idea of their eating such food that I did not notice 
what else they had. Yes, black coffee strong as lye. And 
these boys and men made their supper and slept so. John 
Cleland among them as white as a sheet. 

"The next morning Brother and I sat on a pile of limbs 
and held a consultation. 'Do you see that farm, house 
away off there?' 'Yes.' 'Now I think we could get you 
and Robert in there. Would you be willing to stay there 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 197 

and take care of him? The road is torn up so his sisters 
cannot get to him.' I replied, 'I would not. First, I would 
have no material to work with; next, while he would have 
the best attention in town, I can do so much good beside.' 
I really felt that never in my life had I done the good I 
was doing there. 'But,' he said, 'he has got it into his 
head that no man gets out of a hospital alive, and he won't 
go.' I said, 'Say nothing to him about it, but get every- 
thing ready, and lift him right into the cart.' I do not 
know what Robert thought, his eyes looked very bright. 
They fixed a nice bed and carried him out and laid him in. 
I put my veil over his face to shield him from the bright 
sunlight. Our horse was an old white one, and the har- 
ness was made of old clothes lines. 

"The soldiers were out on a grand parade as we neared 
town. The music set our horse to dancing, and our cart 
would tip most uncomfortably. So grand and imposing 
was the sight of the review, it seemed to me it must be the 
whole Army of the Cumberland. Is there a finer sight? 
The horses seem made for the men, and the men for the 
horses. Their arms glittered in the sunlight, the horses 
seemed to know it, bowed their necks and pranced in their 
proud gladness. But our poor nag was not accustomed 
to such magnificence, and we for protection against his 
antics had to back up among the convalescents by a church 
hospital, so closely wedged in we could not move, Frank 
Gillett holding him by the mouth. Miss Bates, who was 
looking out of the window at us, overheard two soldiers 
talking. One said, pointing to our cart, 'That's one of 
them nurses. Now I shouldn't wonder if she rode in her 
own carriage at home.' When we got to my hospital they 
came out and carried Robert most tenderly upstairs into 



igS THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

the best room in the house. After he was fixed I sat down 
on a window sill in the hall and how I did cry. I had taken 
the whole responsibility on myself, but what a good be- 
ginning. One morning I was in his room, the door open- 
ed and a voice called out, 'Did die in this room? 

My heart stood still. I glanced at Robert, His startled 
eyes shone through his bushy hair. When the nurse 
answered, 'No, we don't die in this room,' what a relief! 

"It was difficult to get things palatable; however, the 
worst was better than camp life fare. I would have the 
bread toasted, the meat would have to be boiled; of course 
the water was rich and nutritious. There was no way to 
manage soup, so the toast was dipped in this water and 
served as quickly as possible. Then I had them cut off 
slices of raw beef, and those who sat around the fire put 
them on long sticks and thus broiled them. They looked 
good and formed a change from the everlasting boiled beef. 
One day the bread was raw, it could not be eaten, so I 
went all through with a small allowance of crust and asked 
if they knew it was fast day? * * * 

"I have always been thankful for the privilege of doing 
what I did. I have often heard women say they could not 
realize there had been a war. I can." 

Mrs. Ketcham, Madam: As I had not an opportunity of 
seeing you before you left, I take pleasure in expressing to 
you by letter the thanks that I feel you ought to receive for 
your kindness in visiting our post, and for the care and atten- 
tion you gave the sick in the different hospitals under my 
charge. You came at a time when, above all others, your 
services were most needed. Our hospitals were but just 
organized. We had but four surgeons; few and incompetent 
attendants ; our wards filled to overflowing. We had scarcely 
any cooking utensils, indeed none of the conveniences neces- 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" I99 

sary for the comfort and cleanliness of a general hospital. 
Everything looked wretched and discouraging in the extreme. 

Yourself and our dear Miss Bates lent yourselves nobly to 
the work. We began to advance in the way of improvement 
from that time. Cleanliness, cooking, neatness, all grew bet- 
ter, and, last but not least, the men began to be more cheer- 
ful, because there was a woman around, two of them in fact, 
and working women at that. Many a soldier now in the 
field will remember with gratitude the kindness received at 
your hands ; and many of our gallant dead have been soothed 
and comforted in their dying hour by your presence and 
thoughtful attention. 

Allow me, Madam, in behalf of the sick you have so kindly 
attended, and of the surgeons and officers of the different hos- 
pitals whom you have so materially assisted, to tender you our 
most hearty thanks. Hoping that you may ever have friends 
as kind to you as you have been to us, that your life may be 
long, happy and useful, and that God in his mercy may choose 
you for His own in death, 

Most respectfully, ever your friend, 

S. M. HAMILTON, 
Medical Director, Gallatin, Tenn. 

J. E. Cleland: "It must have been the summer of '63 
when Harry Meteer of Company I, was sent to the hospital 
with the malady which carried so large a proportion of our 
army to the lazar house and beyond. The doctors diag- 
nosed an ulcer on every quarter inch of his intestinal gear- 
ing. His digestive apparatus couldn't turn a wheel, and he 
was strictly forbidden to swallow anything but toast and 
boiled milk, but he had a howling and continuing craving 
for all real and imaginary food, like a chronic drunkard 
ravenous for drink. Quantities of microby water, butter- 
milk, hard fried eggs, green vegetables and fruits were 
devoured on the sly, when occasion could be found. The 



200 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

surgeons were amazed, and the nurses horrified, as, from 
his own mouth and other sources, damaging evidence of 
his transgressions abundantly flowed. Daily he wasted 
away, until there was left little promise in him of any 
further soldierly or other value. Only the regulation 
amount of bones and enough hide to hold them together 
were left. 

"Some flattering obituary notices of him circulated in 
the North and drifted back to camp, but he thought it 
hardly worth while to make any denial, as a little previous- 
ness was all that seemed the matter with the necrological 
facts. His soul, or some other organ of his inner empti- 
ness cried out for relief of some kind, and even death 
seemed less grim and forbidding than of old. The sick 
were expected to eat what, and only what, the surgeons 
prescribed, and Hobson, the nurse, was faithful to his trust 
and to the doctors. So when Meteer was heard to crunch 
green apples in the stillness of the night, and when a large 
supply of half-grown fruit was found under his pillow, the 
wrath of Hobson was consuming. He not only predicted 
death, but seemed to derive some satisfaction in the antici- 
pation. In reply, Meteer, in a thin, but resolute voice, 
squeaked out, 'I may die, but I will not die empty, and here 
goes for the rest of that peck of apples.' He refused to 
furnish the fulfillment of Hobson's prophecy, and his voice, 
now full and strong, may still be heard every Sunday 
preaching to other sinners, in Utah, if you happen to pass 
that way. The medical moral of this would seem to be, 
that unripe apples are good for some sick soldiers, at some 
times, under some circumstances." 

D. M. Ransdall, Company G: *'At Resaca I was stand- 
ing on my left foot and right knee, engaged in putting a 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 20I 

percussion cap on my gun, the piece resting across my left 
leg, my left hand holding the cap, and my right the gun, 
with my thumb on the hammer, which was drawn back. I 
was thinking of but one thing, and that was to get ready to 
shoot as quickly as possible. I had forgotten all about 
danger. Just as I got the cap on I had a sudden sensation 
as though I had been struck a smart blow across my right 
wrist with a stick. The next instant the gun fell out of 
my hand and I noticed the blood gushing in spurts from 
the wrist. Physiology having been one of my favorite 
studies in FrankHn College, from which I had entered the 
army, I knew at once that an artery had been cut, and I 
seized the forearm above the wound with my left hand, and 
compressed it so as to stop the hemorrhage. I felt little 
pain owing, I suppose, to my excitement. 

"Being now disarmed and wounded, and so unable to 
continue the fight, I began to realize something of the sur- 
rounding dangers and my peril from them. Looking 
about me as best I could under the circumstances I reached 
the conclusion that the proper time had come for me to re- 
tire, and that if I did not get away with some expedition I 
might be killed or captured. While I still hesitated I 
noticed Tom Clark of my company, not more than four 
feet away on the right. He was lying on his stomach, with 
head up and gun presented, evidently watching for a 
chance to make an effective shot. As I looked at him a 
ball struck him in the throat, and as it entered his vitals, he 
uttered such a hideous scream as I never heard before or 
since. It killed him instantly. I waited no longer. 

"This incident decided my course and accelerated my 
movements. I could see no place of refuge. The few 
trees there already protected all they could cover. There 



202 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

were bushes, but they afforded no shelter, the most of them 
having already been cut off by the bullets, as though a 
woodman had passed through with an ax. It was certain 
death to stand up, the balls were flying so thickly. But 
one way of escape presented itself and that I adopted. 
Lying down flat on the ground I proceeded to roll down 
the hill the best way I could. I think it must have been 
nearly one hundred yards. When I reached the foot I got 
up and ran across, and down the valley still holding my 
arm. It seems a miracle that I escaped being hit again, 
for the bullets were humming through the air in a fearful 
way. I followed the valley a short distance until a bend 
to the left took me to a place of safety. As I passed on I 
encountered General Hooker, who was sitting on a horse, 
with his feet out of the stirrups, studying a map. 'My 
boy,' said he in a kindly voice, 'you are wounded. You 
will find an ambulance to take you to the hospital by fol- 
lowing this road.' 

"I had not proceeded far when I met our chaplain. Rev. 
Archibald C. Allen, one of the best men that ever lived. 
He was provided with lint and bandages, and at once took 
me in charge, gently binding up my wounds, and then mak- 
ing a sling, in which I could carry my arm, suspended it 
from my neck. He gave me explicit instructions how to 
find the ambulance, and at last I reached it, but it was al- 
ready full. The driver offered me a seat beside him, which 
I accepted, and in this manner was conveyed to the hos- 
pital, a large field tent in the woods, and I think nearly two 
miles from where I was wounded. 

"It was now about five o'clock. I was strong and vigor- 
ous, being in good health and only twenty years old, and 
felt so little apprehension about myself now that I was safe- 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 203 

ly in the hospital, that I went about looking at those who 
appeared to be worse hurt than I was, and assisting to ad- 
minister to their wants in various ways. Quite a number 
were from my own company and regiment, and their con- 
dition, lying there so helpless, awakened my liveliest sym- 
pathy. But by dark my wound was causing me much pain. 
It was not until then that I noticed that my hand had 
turned black, and was greatly swollen. It had not oc- 
curred to me that I might lose my arm until I saw the sur- 
geons cutting off the limbs of others. When I realized 
this danger, I hastened to Dr. Reagan, our regimental sur- 
geon, and asked him to examine my wound. As soon as 
he looked at it, he said the arm would have to be ampu- 
tated to save my life. The minie ball in passing through 
the wrist the long way had knocked out the bones of the 
joint, and made a bad wound. I had faith in our surgeon, 
but the idea that I must lose my arm was so preposterous 
that I was not satisfied until I went to the brigade surgeon, 
Dr. Potter, who confirmed what Dr. Reagan had said. I 
cannot describe my feelings, when I fully understood that 
I was really to lose my good right arm. I was only a boy, 
with my own way to make in the world, and to be thus dis- 
abled at the start, depressed me as no words can express. 
The present suddenly grew very dark, and my whole future 
appeared to be blotted out. And yet, as I thought it over, 
the feeling came back that life was still dear to me. The 
surgeons had pronounced it a choice between life and 
death, and I chose the former. 

"When all was ready I went to the dissecting table, 
where chloroform was administered and the Hmb taken off 
midway between the wrist and elbow. It was the first 
operation performed after the candles were lighted. As I 



204 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

came to consciousness, I experienced a most delicious sen- 
sation. I felt as though I had been floating for hours in a 
place given up wholly to a delightful existence. It was 
some time before I noticed my pain, and then it was only 
slight; but the next day it was severe enough. I was also 
uncomfortable otherwise, being compelled to lie flat on my 
back, with nothing but a rubber blanket under me. 

"The first night a sergeant of my company came and said 
that he had seen my brother Wharton shot and killed dur- 
ing the engagement. This added greatly to my unhap- 
piness. I had not only lost my arm, but also my brother. 
The thought was agony. The next day as I awoke out of 
a deep sleep, I became dimly conscious that a familiar form 
was bending over me, and when at last my eyes were fully 
opened, I discovered who it was. It was my brother! So 
firmly was the idea of his death fixed in my mind that for a 
moment it seemed as if I myself must be in the spirit land, 
but when he said 'Dan,' in the well remembered voice, I 
knew that we were both still in the flesh, and my joy was 
boundless. I had given up all hope of ever experiencing 
such a sensation again, and this reaction made the enjoy- 
ment all the greater. My brother who was dead, was now 
alive. All else was forgotten in the ecstasy produced by 
this knowledge. It afterward transpired that the sergeant 
who had brought me the false report of his death had re- 
ceived a slight concussion of the brain from a shot or shell, 
and for a time was partially demented, his insanity taking 
the form of imagining that he saw different members of his 
company killed, who, in fact, remained unhurt. 

"Presently, when I had recovered a little from my ex- 
citement, I asked my brother to lift me up from the cot. 
Every bone in my body ached, and I felt as flat as a wafer. 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 205 

He objected. He said it was dangerous, and urged me to 
lie still. I insisted, and at last commanded. Finally he 
yielded and called a nurse, with whose assistance I was 
lifted and placed upon my feet. Then I fainted. After 
this experience I obeyed orders, and kept quiet, but the 
next day I felt much better, and it soon became apparent 
that I was making a good recovery. I progressed so 
rapidly that I was able to sit up on the fourth day and write 
a letter to my mother. On the same day I left that hos- 
pital and went to another at Resaca, whence, after a few 
days I was sent by rail to Chattanooga. Two days later 
I proceeded to Nashville. The surgeon at Chattanooga 
remonstrated, declaring that I was not able to stand the 
journey; but I was determined to go, and he talked to 
heedless ears. I was homesick, and Nashville was in the 
direction of home. I was too impatient to wait for a hos- 
pital train, and took a passenger, which was so crowded 
that three persons occupied my seat much of the time. 
We were a day and a night making the journey, and the 
discomforts were great. I suffered from pain, hunger and 
thirst, and had no one to look after my wants in any way. 

''When I arrived at the Nashville hospital my appear- 
ance was not at all inviting. I was coatless. What little 
clothing I had on was ragged and dirty. My hair was long 
and uncombed. I was emaciated to a degree that made me 
look cadaverous, and my arm having been neglected for 
more than twenty-four hours, was in a terrible condition. 
I was suffering by this time, in body and mind in a way 
that makes me shudder even now as I recall it. I was 
given some food, and an hour later a young smart Aleck 
surgeon came in. He looked me over carelessly as I lay 



206 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

on a cot, and his first question was, 'What's the matter 
with you?' 

" 'You can see what is the matter,' I answered in a tone 
which did not conceal my wrath at being asked such a 
question. 'How does it feel,' was the next interrogation, 
as he set about removing the bandages. 'It feels like the 
nervous toothache.' 'Did you ever have any toothache 
that was not nervous?' 

"This play upon my words and the patronizing tone in 
which he spoke, made me madder than ever. I was ready 
to swear. 'Where were you shot?' was his next question. 
'Can't you see it was through the wrist?' 'What is the 
nature of the wound?' By this time he had the bandage 
off and was looking at it. 'A minie ball passed through 
the corpus, fracturing both the ulna and the radius,' I 
answered. 

"Looking at me sharply, he went on silently with his 
work of dressing the wound for two or three minutes and 
then asked, 'Did you ever study medicine?' 'No,' I 
answered indignantly. Then I broke out, 'Do you think a 
man must be a damned fool unless he has studied medi- 
cine?' He gave me another sharp look as I said this, but 
asked me no more questions. When he had completed his 
task he went away. Not long afterward a sweet faced sis- 
ter of charity came, and said that she had been sent by the 
surgeon to take care of me, with instructions to give me 
every attention. My swearing seemed to have had a good 
effect on the smart young surgeon, as similar utterances 
are reputed to have upon the army mule. 

"I shall never forget the good woman he sent to me. 
She nursed me faithfully and tenderly. Every tone of her 
low voice, every touch of her gentle hand, every look of 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 207 

her sympathetic eyes was an inspiration to get well, so that 
I was soon on the road to recovery again. In a few days I 
had improved so much that I was forwarded to the hospital 
at Jeffersonville, Indiana. This time I traveled in a hos- 
pital train, equipped with every convenience and comfort 
for patients, and provided with surgeons and nurses. 

"I had been only three days at Jeffersonville when my 
father found me. He tried to conceal his emotion as he 
approached me; but the mingled expressions of tenderness 
and anxiety on his face were such that they remain photo- 
graphed on my mind to this day. He was as much re- 
joiced to find me as I was to see him. 

*'On the ninth of June, twenty-four days after I was 
wounded, I reached the hospital at Indianapolis, and the 
next morning my mother, who lived in the vicinity of New 
Bethel, some eight miles away, was at my side. She wept 
as she looked at what remained of my arm, but she wiped 
away her tears and rejoiced when she had time to realize 
that my life had been spared. It was not so sad to have 
me brought home a cripple, as it would have been, had I 
come a corpse, as was the case with so many who had gone 
away with me to the war. As she reflected on this it 
brought her relief. I confess, too, that I found it a subject 
of no little congratulation to be safely at home, after the 
scenes of death and suffering through which I had passed." 

A lad who entered the hospital at Resaca gives an ex- 
perience that reflects little credit on the refinement, the dis- 
cernment and the sympathy of an attending surgeon. On 
the morning of the battle, this boy had put on a striped 
shirt that had not been worn before, the colors of which 
were anything but fast. During the battle, while he was 
lying as close to the ground as possible, with his face to the 



2o8 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

enemy, an enfilading bullet perforated his body in such a 
way as, without touching a bone, to make four painful but 
not serious wounds. The previous long march through 
the heat and dust, the race up hill, the perspiration conse- 
quent, and the flow of blood, extracted all the colors from 
the shirt and imparted them to his person, so that his ap- 
pearance was frightful beyond description. While he was 
lying on his face in the hospital a group of doctors passed 
through, deciding what cases demanded immediate atten- 
tion. One of them threw back the blanket that covered 
him and exclaimed, "There's no use doing anything for this 
fellow! He's mortified already." Even now the veteran 
in telling the story admits a Hngering feeling of mortifica- 
tion caused by the rude act and unfeeHng language of the 
physician. 

In an interview with A. W. Reagan, Surgeon of the 
Seventieth Indiana, the following facts were elicited. 
"There were five assistant surgeons mustered into the 
service at different times, but most of them resigned after 
a few months. Dr. John M, White, who came to stay, was 
a man of mild disposition, always attentive to his duties and 
very kind to any who appHed to him for help. He was put 
in charge of Hospital No. one in Gallatin, where in failing 
health he continued his work until his death. 

"Dr. Jenkins A. Fitzgerald came to the regiment while 
we were at Nashville, Tenn., and took part in all its marches 
and campaigns to the end of the war. He was well quaH- 
fied and faithful in his duties, and as brave as a lion. On 
the first day's fight at Resaca, he went to the front line to 
assist some of the wounded, and as soon as he had them 
started to the rear, he picked up a gun and began firing at 
the enemy. He received a wound in the shoulder, but 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 209 

could not be persuaded to leave the field, and finally had to 
be ordered to the rear. After the war ended, he was ap- 
pointed Assistant Surgeon in the regular army, and was 
filling that position when he died at Washington Barracks, 
Penn., in 1879. 

"The morale of the Seventieth was equal to that of any 
regiment, and superior to many, and the physical condition 
of the men was excellent. The Government took good 
care to have on hand all the medicines and surgical instru- 
ments we required. The town boys were less likely to en- 
ter the hospital than the boys who came from the country; 
for instance, the members of Company E, who came largely 
from the city, were hard to get into the hospital, and hard 
to hold in, for they had been accustomed to taking life in 
a rough and tumble way, hence did not yield to any simple 
ailment; whereas the country boys had been used to lead- 
ing a quiet life in their homes, hence took better care of 
themselves when sick. The town boys stood disease and 
hardship better for the first half of the service, but after 
that the difference was not noticeable. The articles of 
clothing and food sent from home by friends and neighbors 
of our men were beneficial, not only because they were 
needful, but as an assurance that the people at home were 
thinking of them, they were an encouragement and a 
stimulus. 

"There was but little, if any, profanity among the men 
in the hospital ; I would not allow it in the first place, but 
the men were not inclined to indulge in it. There was a 
great difference between diseases contracted at home and 
in the field. Those contracted in the field were of greater 
intensity, and the systems of the men were less able to bear 
the diseases. The enervating action of the service rendered 



2IO THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

the men less able to resist the encroachments of disease. 
Some of our men died from want of fruits and vegetables 
while we were in Kentucky and Tennessee. The men es- 
pecially suffered thus while we were encamped in and 
around Gallatin during the winter and spring of 1862 and 
'63; but it was on the Atlanta campaign that they suffered 
most for the want of vegetables. Many sickened and had 
to be sent back, some to die; while some recovered appar- 
ently, but the dregs of disease, scurvy, etc., were in their 
systems. 

"Not alone was disease difficult to deal with successfully, 
but wounds did not heal kindly, and many deaths resulted 
from the unfavorable situation. If the systems of the men 
had been in good healthy condition, as is the case with peo- 
ple who are at home, and have sufficient food, fruit, vege- 
tables, etc., many who died from wounds and disease would 
have got well. This was especially noticeable on the At- 
lanta campaign, for it was not the bullet bringing instant 
death that occasioned the greatest loss, but the privation, 
the exposure, the want of the necessaries of life, that ruined 
constitutions and gave to disease and wounds fatal termi- 
nation. There were cases when men died from very slight 
sickness or wounds, and it was not surprising to the phy- 
sicians, for the powers of resistance to disease or pain had 
been brought to a very low ebb. The ration at no time 
was more than just enough to maintain life, and on the At- 
lanta campaign it did not come up to this, so if in addition, 
one will take into consideration the exposure to the 
weather, and the intense strain on the nervous system, it 
will not be thought strange that men sometimes died from 
slight causes, or that those who survived were left with im- 
paired health and broken constitutions. 



"I WAS SICK AND YE VISITED ME" 211 

"The hospitals were often so close to the front line in a 
battle as to be endangered by the shells, and even the minie 
balls of the enemy. This was the case especially at Kene- 
saw Mountain and Averasborough, where, while we were ex- 
aming, operating on and dressing the wounded, shells 
passed over and burst beyond us, and some passed close to 
us, and often burst where we were working. Minie balls 
rained around us; we did not stop, but worked on, taking 
our chances. The rebels who' got into our hospital were 
treated precisely in the same way as our own men. 

"When we were in camp for a while at one place, the 
men would sicken, and the hospitals would soon be full; but 
as we moved to another place, or started on the march, 
health improved at once. In fact the period when the men 
enjoyed the best health was on the longest, hardest march. 
More died from typhoid fever than from any other disease. 
A few died from homesickness pure and simple, but quite a 
number becoming depressed and reduced in health from 
that cause, proved an easy prey to any disease to which 
they might be exposed. Some had become so prostrated, 
before a discharge could be secured, that they died after 
reaching home. 

'The convalescents generally wanted to return to camp, 
quite a large proportion before they were well enough. 
Not more than three per cent were willing to remain in the 
hospital. The dying often expressed themselves as being 
satisfied with having given their lives for their country. 
Chaplain Allen was always cheerful. He would come to 
the hospital and speak w^ords of comfort and encourage- 
ment to the men. 

"The day that made the most vivid impression on my 
mind, was the day we left Atlanta on the March to the Sea. 



212 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

After reaching the outskirts, I stopped, turned and looked 
back at the ruined city. The conflagration, the cutting 
loose from our base of supplies, the going whither we did 
not know, affected me profoundly. Every one around me 
was deeply impressed, yet all seemed to be inspired by the 
thought that they were to have a part in a great under- 
taking." 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE MARCH TO THE SEA 

The feeling so vividly described by Dr. Reagan in the 
last chapter, stirred every soul as Sherman's army moved 
away from the ill-fated city. Even now, the participants in 
the great events and greater results immediately following, 
have no language to describe their emotions, — they only say, 
the incident of my life worthy of mention is the March to 
the Sea. 

A conversation between two veterans of the Seventieth 
Indiana makes a revelation more luminous than any de- 
scription. "Would you part with your experience for a 
thousand dollars?" The man addressed was poor. To 
him a hundred dollars was a large sum. ''Well-a-why- 
no!" "For a hundred thousand?" "Why, no!" "For a 
million?" "No! There's not enough money in the world 
to buy from me the consciousness that I had a part in driv- 
ing the dagger into the heart of the Rebellion." Then as 
if he thought his manner had been too boastful, or that he 
might be plucking a leaf from General Sherman's laurels, 
he added: "God knows I could not do much, for I was 
only a private, but I did what I could in the death blow that 
made the Southern soldiers know their cause lost; Jeff 
Davis could not protect their homes." 

As to the envious rivals of Columbus, the discovery of 
America seemed an easy affair after its execution, so now- 
adays this expedition is sometimes belittled and spoken of 
as a holiday excursion. Lincoln feared, Grant doubted. 
None but the dauntless Sherman dared put fate to the 

213 



214 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

touch. The London Herald voiced the sentiment of the 
outside world, when it proclaimed : "The name of the 
captor of Atlanta, if he fails now, will become the scoff of 
mankind, and the humiliation of the United States for all 
time. If he succeeds, it will be written on the tablet of 
fame side by side with that of Napoleon and Hannibal." 
It amazes one to see Americans who speak of Thomas' 
noble qualities, turn aside to fling a stone at Sherman, or 
Grant, or Sheridan. The four were great. Why try to 
lift one hero at the expense of another illustrious reputa- 
tion? 

Altogether Sherman's army numbered 62,204, and con- 
sisted of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Seventeenth and 
Twentieth Corps, and two divisions of the Sixteenth which 
were assigned to the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps. 
The artillery trains had charge of sixty-five field guns. 
Each soldier carried forty rounds of ammunition, and in 
the wagons there were two hundred rounds for each man. 
The veterans and recruits of the Twenty-seventh Indiana, 
one hundred and nineteen in number, had their names 
transferred to the rolls of the Seventieth on November 
fifth, but they did not join the regiment until the morning 
after the start from Atlanta. 

It is interesting to read the following frantic Proclama- 
tion from the man who was so prominent in the reduction 
of Fort Sumter. 

Corinth, Nov. 18, 1864. 
To the People of Georgia: Arise for the defense of your 
native soil! Rally round your patriotic Governor and gal- 
lant soldiers! Obstruct and destroy all roads in Sherman's 
front, flank and rear, and his army will soon starve in your 
midst! Be confident and resolute! Trust in an overruling 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 215 

Providence, and success will crown your efforts. I hasten to 
join you in defense of your homes and firesides. 

G. T. BEAUREGARD. 

J. M. Wills: "All the rations we drew on the fifteenth 
of Noveinber was plenty of coffee." 

U. H. Farr: "It was nearly dark when we marched out 
on the road toward Stone Mountain, as we were the last of 
the army to leave Atlanta. No halt was made during the 
night, nor the next day, nor the next night, but only such 
stops as were necessary to allow the w^agon trains to get 
out of a mud hole, or to mend a broken bridge. Such 
pauses afforded no time for cooking, eating or resting. 
By the morning of the second day we were tired out, and 
the halt then only lasted a few hours. The weather, as a 
general thing, was all that could be asked, the roads were 
dry and usually hard, the country full of forage of almost 
every kind, corn, sweet potatoes, the finest in the world, 
pigs, fat hogs, cattle, once in awhile a fat goat, honey, 
molasses, and during the last two weeks, rice. The march- 
ing was almost continuous night and day, being regulated 
by the movements of the wagon and artillery trains. 
When the nights were dark, the fences along the road 
made good bonfires to march by, and if a halt of a few min- 
utes was assured us, the opportunity was seized to make 
coffee, to boil sweet potatoes and meat, and even to cook a 
pot of mush. We made messes no cook could name, but 
the variety of food added a spice to our lives." 

Lieutenant J. I. Wills: "On the way to Savannah our 
regiment happened when we had an all night march, to be 
in the rear of the army. About midnight we passed a large 
house which was on fire and halted for a few moments a 
hundred yards beyond. The air was very chilly, and an of- 



2l6 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ficer who was marching by my side said, 'Let us go back to 
that fire to rest,' but I answered, 'I don't intend to take a 
backward step on this march if I can help it.' His reply 
was, 'I am cold and I am going back.' Overcome by 
fatigue and the warmth, he fell asleep, and as he was one of 
the kind a cannon or an earthquake has trouble in waking, 
the regiment marched off and left him. When he awoke 
all was as silent as the grave. He was in a horrible 
dilemma, for there were several roads leading from that 
house, but by luck the right one w^as taken. He said, 'The 
rest of that night, and until he caught up late the next day, 
he could almost feel the rope tightening around his neck, 
with three or four guerrillas at the other end.' He never 
slept again except where the pulling and hauling would be 
done by friends." 

U. H. Farr: "The four corps marched about fifteen 
miles apart, and that afforded an opportunity to reach a 
wide extent of the country for forage. All the horses 
found by the foragers were confiscated, and every Bummer 
was soon well mounted. All horses not so needed -were 
turned over to the quartermaster's department for the use of 
artillery, or wagon-trains, and the cavalry; and at Savan- 
nah the horses and equipments of the foragers were turned 
over to the Quartermaster. As a general thing no horses 
or cattle could be found on the plantations. The owners 
had carried them away on our approach, to the thickly 
wooded hills or to the islands in the swamps. In these 
supposed inaccessible places great quantities of household 
plunder, provisions, poultry, slaves, and white women and 
children would be gathered, but the Bummer, directed by 
the loyal negro, would always find them. Provisions in 
abundance, such as hams, and valuables of every kind, both 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 217 

on the farms and in the towns, were buried, and every 
device, such as scattering leaves loosely above, or building 
a fire over the spot, adopted to throw the Bummers off 
the scent; but the prodding ramrod of the forager would 
soon divulge the secret. 

"Often while the column was moving along monoton- 
ously, someone would begin whistling a familiar tune, and 
instantly it would be taken up in front and rear by hun- 
dreds of men, all keeping step as steadily as if on parade 
behind the finest of bands. Sometimes after an all-night 
and all-day march, late in the evening this strange music 
would fill the air, when, quick as a flash, the drooping men 
would join in the melody, close up the column and march 
as buoyantly as if they had just risen from a night of rest, 
and the enjoyment of a feast. As dusk approached, the 
sight of men in camp would cheer the marchers up, but 
the profanity was blasting, as mile after mile was added to 
the day's journey, to be ended only when a point in front 
was reached where the pontoniers needed protection in 
their bridge-building work. 

"In preparing to destroy a railroad, a brigade or division 
would march by the side of the track, form in line, then 
stack arms. As soon as the spikes at each end of the line 
were drawn, the men would lay hold of the ends of the 
ties on one side of the road, and, all lifting at once, the 
whole affair would be turned over, the rails going under. 
Then men prepared with sledges would knock the rails 
off, pile the ties in square heaps four to six feet high, put 
the rails on top and set fire to the mass. As soon as the 
rails were red hot they would twist them like a string, or 
bend them around a tree or stump, so as to render them 
useless, except as old iron to be sent to a rolling mill for 



2l8 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

restoration to the original shape. Much of the Chatta- 
nooga road was so treated, and all of the road from Atlanta 
to Savannah. 

"While at Milledgeville, the State Capital, some of the 
boys organized a mock legislature, chose a speaker, dis- 
cussed and adopted patriotic resolutions. At first we were 
amazed at the sight of the immense knives we found there, 
thousands of them, but finally came to the conclusion that 
they were made by the Confederates to fight with in 'the 
last ditch.' 

At Springfield, twenty-five miles from Savannah, our 
brigade was hurried forward to engage some rebel cav- 
alry, said to be in some force, but as it had departed when 
we arrived, we encamped on the edge of the town. Many 
of the citizens were at home, and talked with the boys, say- 
ing that the war was not nearly at an end, and were loud in 
their prophecies as to the future. 'You will find you can- 
not take Savannah; it is too well fortified.' Some of our 
boys were back at Springfield about two weeks later with 
wagons gathering up forage for the mules and horses of 
the army, and found these boasting citizens utterly dum- 
founded. They now felt sure Sherman's army could whip 
anything. 

"As we approached Savannah the troops were thrown 
into line, the Twentieth Corps being on the left, and ex- 
tending to the river above the city. Here we were greeted 
by the heavy guns of the enemy throwing shell and solid 
shot. At the part of the line occupied by us there was a 
swamp several feet deep, and our skirmishers occupied one 
side and the rebel skirmishers the other. Our main line 
of works was some two or three hundred yards from the 
swamp. A graded road had furnished passage across the 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 219 

swamp, but the several bridges in the dike had been burned, 
and at the farther end of the embankment the road was 
defended with heavy ordnance, so that to think of an 
assault by the dike would have been madness. Sappers and 
miners, assisted by details from each command, occupied 
the nights in building a bridge across the swamp, prob- 
ably to distract the attention of the besieged from General 
Sherman's real design. 

"Much rice still stood in the shock, and the negroes 
were employed to thresh and hull it. We were kept well 
supplied with this, and if we had had salt to season it there 
would have been no complaint. As soon as Fort Mc- 
Allister was taken, tons of mail were delivered, and soon 
heavily laden wagons were winding their way carrying 
provisions to the troops, and long lines of horses and mules 
were seen pulling heavy guns to different positions around 
the city. We now learned for the first time of the election 
of Lincoln." 

Other diaries and letters furnish additional information 
of the Georgia invasion. J. M. Wills: "On the twenty- 
second of November we camped near Milledgeville. We 
found a few thousand butcher knives with blades two feet 
long. A great many of the boys started on the next day's 
march with these cheese-knives, as they called them, hung 
to their sides like officers' swords, but in a few days cast 
them aside. The legislature was in session in the State 
House and no one was eligible to be a representative un- 
less he was a member of Sherman's army. On the twenty- 
fourth we marched toward Sandersville, twenty-six miles 
away, and on account of the swamps encountered, it took 
us three days. We camped at Sandersville over night and 
left on the twenty-seventh, marching toward Louisville, 



220 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

where we rested. On the third of December we found 
the roads strewn with fallen timber. It did not take us 
half as long to move the trees out of the road as it took the 
rebels to- cut them down. On the sixth we camped at 
Effingham, on the eighth marched to Springfield and on 
the tenth came up to the outer works of Hardee's army 
at Savannah. In a few days Company C was detailed to 
go with the Seventy-ninth Ohio fifteen miles south, to 
King's Bridge, the head of navigation on the Ogeechee 
River, to act as guards, and to help unload supplies for 
the army, the first we had drawn since leaving Atlanta." 

J. C. Bennett: "November nineteenth we stopped over 
for one day to wash ourselves and our clothes. As we had 
but one suit, and the weather was warm, we buttoned up 
our coats while we washed and dried our other garments." 

\\'m. Sharpe: "As we entered the outskirts of the Cap- 
ital of Georgia, we saw in front of a negro shanty a white 
shirt on a pole floating in the breeze and a lot of negro wo- 
men standing around. One of the boys called out: 'Say, 
Dinah, what have you that thing up there for?' 'Why- 
why,' said she, 'that's to let you'uns know that we'uns have 
surrendered !' A shout went up : 'That's a good joke on 
Sherman's army.' A negro shanty surrendering, with an 
old white shirt as a signal, made us feel jolly." 

This incident from the same journal shows how easy it 
was for olificers to fall out over a trifling infringement of 
each other's rights, and the amusement afforded the men 
by a dispute between those in command: "Not many 
hours after leaving ]Milledgeville we were ordered to stack 
arms on the same camp-ground where Captain Winegar's 
Battery I. First New York Artillery, lay. Presently the 
Captain came riding up with drawn sword to Colonel Mer- 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 221 

rill of our regiment and commanded him to move his men 
out of his camp. The Colonel replied that he was ordered 
to stack arms right here, and right here he would stay 
until told to move by the commanding officer. Captain 
Winegar became very angry and said: 'I will order Gen- 
eral Slocum to move you out of here.' Colonel Merrill 
turned around to him with a big smile on his face and said: 
'Captain Winegar, it does look as if you would try to order 
General Slocum around.' We boys were mightily tickled, 
while the Captain's own men began to catch on, and joined 
in a good hearty laugh at their commander. The enraged 
officer disappeared for a while, then returned and c^uietly 
moved the battery." 

Sharpe thus tells how a soldier supplies himself with 
honey: "He runs his bayonet into the top of the beehive, 
brings his gun to a right shoulder shift, and takes up the 
double-quick for his command, leaving the bees to fly out 
behind as he runs." Woe to the man, horse, or mule that 
he happens to pass. He might have told of a lad wrap- 
ping a hive in a blanket, and the fun he had when the curi- 
ous boys unfolded the supposed music box ; or of their fun 
later when the joker's dreams were disturbed by a few bees 
that had stuck to the blanket. 

The members of our regiment had a great affection for 
the men of the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois, and the 
feeling was reciprocated, but this did not prevent the play- 
ing of jokes at each other's expense. The Seventieth boys 
felt quite sure they knew who had slandered them, and 
made General Ward assert in his forceful way, 'T swah to 
God, if I could camp over night with the Seventieth in the 
edge of Richmond, there would be nothing for Grant to 
take in the morning." 



222 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

The following' stories were told at a reunion after the 
war, as illustrating this disposition. One night the ropes 
of the sutler's tent of the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois 
were cut, and from the ruins cans of fruit, cigars and some- 
thing stronger than his tobacco disappeared. It was re- 
ported at headquarters, under loud protests from the 
accused, however, that the mischief was done by men of 
the Seventieth. The protesting innocents declared that 
they would get even with their slanderous friends. 

'"The patient search and vigil long 
Of him who treasures up a wrong" 

had its reward on the March to the Sea. The Seventieth 
foraging party, on one occasion, had separated in squads 
of four. The men of one squad entered an outbuilding 
attached to a large dwelling, and finding a hogshead filled 
with molasses, proceeded to stand it on end, knock in the 
head, and stock their canteens. Just as they had finished, 
a buxom housemaid, black as night, rushed in at the com- 
mand of her mistress, cryino-, "G'way fum heah! Dese our 
'lasses!" at the same time striking one of the foragers on 
the head with an oak paddle, so that he staggered against 
the side of the shed. Recovering himself, he called out, 
"Let's baptize her, boys," and the four, seizing, immersed 
her in the syrup, then let her run. As they emerged from 
the cabin, the foragers of the One Hundred and Fifth ap- 
peared with a large ox wagon they had pressed into the ser- 
vice, and shouted, "What's in there, boys?" "Sorghum!" 
"Any left?" "Yes, a whole barrel!" In a twinkling the 
hogshead was on the wagon. That night there was rnuch 
sweetness in the mouths of the One Hundred and Fifth 
boys, but much bitterness of feeling with loss of appetite 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 223 

the following day when told of the cruel joke. Possibly 
history repeats itself in this incident, for a similar experi- 
ence is told of another regiment. 

The Georgia forager, a unique character such as the 
world has never seen before, coined for himself the name 
of Sherman's Bummer. Just at sundown there would join 
the march or enter the camp a motley collection of wag- 
ons, carts, chaises, buggies, sulkies, coaches, anything that 
had wheels, drawn by anything that could pull. At the 
head of the procession would be an ancient family carriage, 
drawn by a goat, a cow with bell, and a jackass. Tied be- 
hind would be a sheep and a calf, while the vehicle would 
be loaded down with pumpkins, chickens, cabbages, 
guinea fowls, carrots, turkeys, onions, squashes, a shoat, 
sorghum, a looking-glass, an Italian harp, sweetmeats, a 
peacock, a rocking chair, a gourd, a bass viol, sweet po- 
tatoes, a cradle, dried peaches, honey, a baoy carriage, 
peach brandy and every other imaginable thing under the 
sun a lot of fool soldiers could take in their heads to bring 
away. Now leading the goat, now mauling the cow when- 
ever she bawled, would be a gigantic woman, wearing a 
bonnet decked with ostrich feathers, a silk dress coming 
down to her knees, a pearl necklace encircling her throat, 
from which poured forth such blood-curdling oaths when- 
ever the jackass stopped to bray, as would have made Satan 
shake his sides in rapturous joy. On top of this load 
would be a man with an antique two-story stovepipe silk 
hat, a revolutionary swallow-tailed, shad-belly coat, black 
velvet knee-breeches, legs hideously bare, who pressed to 
his lips a six-foot stage horn and blew as if his name was 
Gabriel and the judgment day just at hand. 

December fifteenth. An officer writes: "A month ago 



224 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

to-day we pushed out from Atlanta into the enemy's coun- 
try, entirely ignorant of our destination. Our nightlong 
journey was gloomily enlivened by the flames of burning 
houses, and the distant explosions beneath the ruined city 
in our rear. Nothing I have ever seen, but this terrible 
night, is worthy of being compared to that 

'• 'Day of Wrath, eventful day. 
When heaven and earth shall pass away.' 

*'* 'Dies irae! Dies irae!' filled the air, and fell upon the 
hearts of the inhabitants of doomed Georgia. As we had 
only three days' rations, our subsistence had to be taken 
entirely from the country; and as the region through which 
we passed was a wealthy one, we obtained meal, flour, 
pork, beef, chickens, turkeys, honey, preserved fruits, sweet 
potatoes, rice, and, indeed, everything you can think of. 

"I think I have eaten more fowls and honey on this trip 
than in all my life before, and sweet potatoes — well, I've 
almost had enough. 

"The boys have become quite fastidious in regard to 
the size of the turkey, claiming that a ten-pound yearling 
just meets a man's wants, while a fifteen-pounder may be 
tough; and anyhow is ill-proportioned, being a little too 
much for one man and not quite enough for two. 

"As we passed along the road near Madison, the men 
found an outhouse containing several casks of molasses. 
Hungry stragglers swarmed around like bees, swearing and 
pushing and overturning the barrels. A beautiful black- 
eyed boy of four years sat on the gate-post, calling out, 
'Come out of there, you old mean Yanks, you! Oh, goody! 
goody! you can't get the chickens, for they're under the 
house!' 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 225 

"While we were entering Milledgeville an old black wo- 
man cried, 'God bless you! You've come at last. We've 
been waitin' for you-all more'n four years!' 

"The usual invitation of our boys, 'Come on, Sambo! 
Come on, Dinah!' was responded to in one case by an ebony 
female rushing into the ranks with a 'Yes, I'se gwine, but 
some of you'uns must marry me.' 

"A fat old fellow stood by his lady on a high fence. As 
his eye caught me, he cried out, 'Oh, dar's de Capting!' 
winding up with a locomotive yell, and a backward tumble. 
It's to be hoped he didn't break his neck. 

"A woman greeted us with, 'Lawsee, Massas ! I can't larf 
nufif; I'se so glad to see you!' 

"It was very touching to see the vast numbers of colored 
women following after us with babies in their arms, and 
little ones like our Anna clinging to their tattered skirts. 
One poor creature, while nobody was looking, hid two 
boys, five years old, in a wagon, intending, I suppose, that 
they should see the land of freedom if she couldn't. Babies 
tumbled from the backs of mules, to which they had been 
told to cling, and were drowned in the swamps, while moth- 
ers stood by the roadside, crying for their lost children, and 
doubting whether to continue longer with the advancing 
army. 

"The houses of the wealthy along the line of march 
were pillaged, their clothes and beds torn to pieces, their 
barns and gins given to the flames. 

"An old planter was walking back and forth, wringing 
his hands, and exclaiming over and over, 'Oh, I'm a ruined 
man! I'm a ruined man!' when one of the soldiers, weary 

of his noise, consoled him with, 'Who in said you 

wasn't?' 



226 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

"It was melancholy to watch the books disappear from 
the shelves of the State library, recalling the vandalism 
of the Arabs in Egypt. Ghost of Hannah More! Think 
of my stealing 'Coelebs in Search of a Wife!'* 

"In many of the houses the ladies sat amid the ruins of 
their furniture and the tattered contents of their drawers 
and trunks, smiling as if they took all things joyfully. Yet 
now and then an old lady would have to be reproved by her 
calmer daughter, 'Please, mamma, don't rar' so !' 

"A Confederate, General Harrison, was accosted by one 
of the men : 'Well, old man, they're handling you rather 
roughly !' 'Yes,' was the reply ; 'they have done about all 
they can.' 'No,' said the other, angrily, 'we'll burn your 
house for you and make a desert of your plantation !' The 
discovery of blood-hounds, which always exasperates the 
men, and the fact that his son had charge of a prison pen, 
occasioned special vindictiveness. 

"Our men showed more sympathy for an unfortunate 
dog that appeared underneath a burning house in Spring- 
field, sending forth most dismal howls. He succeeded by 
the help of the flames in breaking the strap which bound 
him, but only to find himself caged by blazing palings that 
fringed the basement of the building. The boys stood in 
ranks as the column halted for a moment, breathlessly 
watching the efforts of the poor fellow, whom they could 
not aid, and burst into welcoming cheers as he seized the 
red bars with his teeth and tore his way toward them. 

"One of the boys found five thousand dollars in Con- 
federate money concealed in a well, besides gold, silver 
and clothing of the finest quality. I have no doubt that 



*The book has since been returned. 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 227 

fifty thousand dollars' worth of silk dresses were found 
buried, and exhumed and torn to pieces by the men. Sil- 
verware, hid away in the ground, fell into their hands 
through information derived from the negroes. 

"An officer may instruct, command and threaten the 
men, but when foraging they think of the tens of thous- 
ands of their imprisoned comrades, slowly perishing with 
hunger, in the midst of wealth untold, barns bursting with 
grain, and food to feed a dozen armies, and they sweep with 
the besom of destruction. The war is with men and with 
property, but women are always addressed with respect 
and children treated with tenderness. I gave orders to 
our foragers, and doubtless other regimental commanders 
did the same, to shoot down anything in the form of a man 
engaged in unsoldier-like deeds. 

"On a plantation about seven miles from Savannah is a 
magnificent forest of live oaks, festooned with Spanish 
moss. Some of the trees are ten feet in diameter, and the 
distance across from tip to tip of the branches is nearly 
two hundred feet, far surpassing in grandeur any produc- 
tion of the forest I have ever seen. The EngHsh oaks are 
but dwarfs, and that elm at home, near Virginia avenue, 
dwindles in my memory until it assumes a size not a third 
as large as these glorious creations, each one in itself a 
forest and a temple. 

"Before Savannah, Monday, December nineteenth. All 
the boys seem to be in excellent health. It could scarcely 
be otherwise, as the march has been easy, the food excel- 
lent, and the weather delightful. The days are as sunny 
and the air as mild as if it were summer instead of winter. 
The favorite hymn with the men is, 'December's as pleasant 
as June.' " 



228 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

One has only to read the following documents from 
Generals Beauregard and Wheeler to be satisfied as to who 
it was that insulted women, maltreated children, and com- 
mitted the crimes falsely charged to the Union foragers. 
The times were propitious for the "poor white" to show 
the arrogant planter that "one man is as good as another," 
and for the revengeful who had cherished a grudge to 
get even with his neighbor. Wheeler, doubtless, and pos- 
sibly Wade Hampton, did what they could to restrain their 
troopers, but hosts of the gallant Confederates had fallen, 
while all the cowardly cut-throats had survived. 

In the Field, Dec. lo, 1864. 
Soldiers! While you have been engaged gallantly fighting 
the enemy a band of thieves and stragglers have spread over 
the country robbing and insulting the wives and children of 
your brother soldiers who are opposing the invaders upon 
other fields. These soldiers expect protection from you, and I 
appeal to every officer and soldier of this command to assist 
in arresting and bringing to justice these depredators who 
claim to belong to the command, and by their conduct are 
bringing disgrace upon you and distress upon citizens, the 
families of comrades in arms. 

JOSEPH WHEELER, 

Major-General. 

Charleston, Dec. 23, 1864. 
Gen. S, Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General: Unless 
Wheeler's command of twelve so-called brigades can be 
properly organized into divisions, under good commanders, a 
large portion of it had better be dismounted forthwith; its 
conduct in front of the enemy, and its depredations on private 
property, render it worse than useless. 

G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

General. 



THE MARCH TO THE SEA 229 

The destruction of railways, the flames consuming mills 
and gins, property created by and wrung from the black- 
man, gave hourly evidence of the awful ruin wrought by 
a war that would never have existed had it not been for 
the wrong of slavery. Many drawn battles had been fought 
in which thousands died seemingly in vain, but now the 
shackles were broken without a blow, and a vast host of 
freedmen followed the army to the sea. Wendell Phillips 
had declared, "1 believe American slavery will last a thous- 
and years." Before twelve had elapsed, after this decla- 
ration, countless throngs were pressing on the men in blue, 
shouting in their new-found liberty, "The year of jubilee 
has come." Gladstone spoke better than he knew, when 
he said: "Jefferson Davis has created a nation," for that 
unhappy man's action had resulted in four millions of peo- 
ple, more than originally formed the American Common- 
wealth, emerging from slavery to a share in the govern- 
ment of a genuine republic, now for the first time in its 
history without a slave. 

J. I>. Ketcham: "I just received the compliment of 
being a great prophet. When in front of Savannah heavy 
firing was heard in the distance. We had grown used to 
such Httle matters, but some negroes who had just come 
into camp were greatly alarmed. The balls of their eyes 
rolled uncomfortably. They appointed a committee to 
wait on me and ask me what I thought of the future. I 
replied, 'Oh, we will wake up some fine morning and find 
the enemy has fled.' The frightened creatures would not 
accept this simple prophetic statement. The next morn- 
ing, however, the enemy was gone. The negroes were 
delighted and gathered around their camp-fire to discuss 
the situation. I overheard one of them refer in high com- 



230 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

plimentary terms to my prophetic greatness, adding, 'Now, 
how do you 'spose he knowed s'much?' " Ketcham beat 
Wendell Phillips at prophesying. 

On the night of the twentieth of December Hardee's 
army deserted Savannah, and early the following morn- 
ing Sherman's battalions entered the city. The great com- 
mander modestly underestimated his captures, when on 
the twenty-second he sent this dispatch to the President: 
"I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of 
Savannah, with one hundred and fifty heavy guns and 
plenty of ammunition, and also about twenty-five thousand 
bales of cotton." 



CHAPTER XIII. 

IN SAVANNAH 

An officer writes: "All the way from Atlanta to the 
ocean without a fight. Some portions of our army have 
had skirmishing, but our regiment has not lost a man. 

"Before daylight on the twenty-first we discovered that 
the Confederates had deserted their lines, so we immedi- 
ately pushed into the city, finding over three hundred pieces 
of artillery, besides thousands of bales of the king of the 
South and vast quantities of rice and corn. 

"It was a glorious sight, the entering of our steamers 
into the harbor day before yesterday. 

"The city is much more beautiful than either Atlanta 
or Nashville. Almost every other square is a park, orna- 
mented in many instances with beautiful monuments and 
sparkling fountains. I had a delightful ride a day or two 
ago along the river to Fort Jackson, some four miles below 
the city. Our horses went like the wind along the dikes, 
which separate rice fields; under brave old oaks snowed 
over with Spanish moss; through thicketed ravines, more 
beautiful than Scotland's lovely Hawthornden; over the 
drawbridge, across the moat, beneath the arch, and into 
the fortress so lately deserted by the foe. 

"One of the streets of the city is very wide, adorned with 
four rows of shade trees and bordered with magnificent 
residences, calling to mind the loveliness and grandeur of 
Unter-den-Linden." 

U. H. Farr: "The Twentieth Corps, after the city was 
taken, went into camp in the suburbs on the upper side 

231 



232 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

within the defences. Great quantities of rice were stored in 
the warehouses, in sacks, barrels, hogsheads, and in bulk, 
and the inhabitants, principally Irish women and children, 
and a few crippled men, came pouring in to load them- 
selves. I saw some fights between the women, and the 
air became sulphurous from the curses. Fists were used 
with vigor, and hair-pulling and kicks indulged in, but 
tongues were the principal weapons. Starving women, 
colored and white, thronged the river bank rolling barrels 
and even huge hogsheads of rice. Our soldiers stood in 
groups taking in the scene. When a fight occurred among 
the Amazons, they would cheer and encourage the weaker 
ones, and despite the roughness of the scene would get 
some enjoyment out of it. 

"No guard was needed in this conquered city to protect 
the citizens or to keep the houses from being invaded. 
Soldiers could be seen wandering in groups all over the 
city, commenting on the structure of the houses, the pe- 
culiarities of the shaded streets, and the great number of 
parks. Camp life soon grew monotonous, and many of 
the men drifted into gambling as a pastime, the excitement 
of the game taking the place of the excitement of the 
skirmish line. One walking on the railroad, down the 
southern sunnyside embankment, could see every kind of 
game going on with cards and dice, chuck-a-luck and poker 
having the preference; and that money was rapidly falling 
into the hands of the skilful and unscrupulous. 

"We drew some clothing, mostly shoes, as the men were 
barefooted, though many were almost naked, as no regu- 
lar issue of clothing had been made since spring. A small 
amount of other wear beside shoes was drawn, but the men 
did not allow themselves to indulge in needful blankets, 



IN SAVANNAH 233 

or a change of clothing even, no matter how cold the win- 
ter nights might be, as they felt that the halt was of short 
duration, and such articles could not be carried on the 
march." 

An officer writes: "Sunday Captain Culver and I at- 
tended service at the Methodist church, and as it was com- 
munion Sabbath and the invitation did not seem to exclude 
us, we went forward with the members, and kneeling round 
the altar partook of the sacrament. The members appeared 
fearfully broken down, as if the heavens were clothed in 
sackcloth and their hearts were crushed beneath the black- 
ened embers of their blasted homes. I think they were 
glad to have us there, and yet, clad as they were in mourn- 
ing and overwhelmed by the thought that all they valued 
in life was lost, they seemed to personify woe. Some may 
rejoice in the desolation of this people, but I feel as the 
Israelites did over the extermination of Benjamin. 

"On our return we went into an empty house, doors all 
open, in search of something to read. Everything the 
owners did not wish to take in their flight was tumbled on 
the floors. After finding a little book that suited me, I 
remarked to a lone African who had gladly welcomed us: 
*My man, it's rather hard to be stealing things this way, 
isn't it?' 'La, Massa, dat's not stealin'. Dey's yours. If 
dey hadn't fout you, dey wouldn't loss nuffin'.' 

"The negroes furnish a comic side to the melancholy 
pictures seen everywhere, though there is tragedy enough 
in their comedy. Yesterday, while we were singing, a 
gray-headed darkey with saw and buck on his shoulders, 
as he passed by, struck up a dance in spite of age and 
encumbrances, inspired by the music or the thought of 
broken chains. 



234 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

" 'God bress you! God bress you!' is the language of 
every crooked-legged, wrinkled-faced, white-haired, black 
ragamuffin as he pulls ofif his hat and paws the ground 
with his right foot; Tse been prayin' for you dese many 
years, and I knowed you's gwine to come, and now you's 
done come, thank the good Lord.' 

"Everywhere you hear old women muttering, 'O, how 
I love em!' 'But dey is purty!' 'Dey isn't yaller, scrawny 
little fellers like dem rebels.' 'God bress you, dear.' 'He 
opened de door. He take de yoke off our necks. He turn 
us loose!' 'O, Lord! Massa, my young missus tole me de 
Yankees had horns on der head, and dey would bore holes 
tru our shoulders for de ropes, and hitch us in wagons, 
and all dose what couldn't work, dey'd send ofif to Cuby.' 

"While we were singing 'John Brown' and the 'Year of 
Jubilo' this morning, a great crowd of tattered women 
gathered from the streets, waving their hands, shouting, 
throwing their arms round each other, kneeling and pray- 
ing, 'God bress you and take you, Massas, and all dat you 
love to heaven, wdiar you will shine like stars in glory! 
We owe it all to you! Bress God!' 

"It is depressing to see their joy, when one thinks of 
the impossibility of their attaining their ideal of freedom. 
Never having known what it is to act for themselves, they 
are helpless as little children when thrown on their own 
resources. We laugh now at their wild antics, and mar- 
vellous expectations, but cannot shut out the thought that 
the comedy may soon darken into a tragedy." 

U. H. Farr: "On the morning of the thirty-first of 
December, 1864, the Third Division crossed the pontoon 
bridge to an island in the Savannah River, and the pon- 
toon corps attempted to throw boats over the other branch 



IN SAVANNAH 235 

of the stream; but the rebel troops had stationed them- 
selves on the opposite side of the river, behind a high em- 
bankment that served to keep the tide-water from the low 
rice fields. Our corps batteries were brought to bear on 
these riflemen, and a vigorous shelling was kept up all 
day, without much apparent effect, however. As night 
drew on, a cold wind blew at a furious rate, making it 
impossible to raise a tent, and as all the fuel on the island 
was water-soaked, building a fire that emitted any warmth 
was out of the question. Wretchedness was universal." 

An officer writes: "I heard an irrepressible youth sing- 
ing, as he watched the old year out and the new year in: 

" 'In eighteen hundred and sixty-five, 
We'll all go home, if we're alive.' 

'Much virtue in If,' I thought, for it looks now with Jack 
Frost and Jupiter Pluvius after us, and Jeff Davis in front, 
as if we stood a sorry chance of getting home." 

U. H. Farr: "Early on the first of January, 1865, Com- 
panies A, B, C and D recrossed the bridge and marched 
to a point where a small river steamer, the General Hardee, 
lay. Battery C, First Ohio, was put on the boat and two 
barges were fastened to either side of the steamer. The 
boat steamed down the river below the island to a point 
near Fort Jackson, then headed up the stream, and across 
to South Carolina. As the steamer approached the shore 
the artillerymen stood to their guns, and the four com- 
panies were ordered to load and fix bayonets. At this mo- 
ment the batteries on the island literally filled the air with 
shells, raking the top of the embankment in our front, 
while the infantry filed rapidly into the barges, seized the 
poles and pushed themselves to the shore. The men sprang 



236 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

out and rushed to the top of the bank, expecting each sec- 
ond a crash of musketry from the enemy supposed to be 
behind it. Hundreds of yards away hundreds of men in 
gray were seen going pell-mell, trying to escape the shells 
flying from the island. The sight of the scampering men, 
some of whom were mounted and were beating their horses 
furiously, called forth shouts of laughter, and concluded 
with a cheer of triumph, which w'as taken up by the six 
companies of the Seventieth still on the island. 

"The steamer now went back for the balance of the regi- 
ment, and when all had arrived, we took up our march for 
the timber by the same route the rebel cavalry had gone. 
As this W'as some five miles from the river, it was night 
before we reached our destination. We could see a bright 
fire blazing in advance, and when the head of the column 
reached it, it was discovered to be a burning bridge. The 
fire was quickly extinguished, and after repairing, wagons 
and the artillery were enabled to cross. We advanced until 
we came to the dwelling on the plantation of General 
Hardee, and there threw out pickets and encamped." 

An officer writes home from this place: "It is startHng 
to meet a regiment that has had active service for two or 
three years, and see how amazingly diseases, detachments, 
discharges and death have caused it to dwindle. A little 
incident at the Savannah River crossing illustrates this 
and may amuse you: Three of us. Acting Adjutant Charles 
Cox, my man Jerry and myself, were going from our camp 
on Hardee's plantation to Savannah with the remains of 
the regimental banners, which were to be sent home. Jerry, 
mounted on a mule, poked along behind carrying the flags, 
which, notwithstanding all our care, are reduced to a few 
tattered stripes, a tassel or two, and shell-shattered staves. 



IN SAVANNAH 237 

Flags couldn't look more forlorn, and our clothes were 
faded and ragged. As we suddenly descended the bank, 
there about seven feet high, we encountered a sentinel keep- 
ing solitary guard at the head of the pontoon bridge, who 
asked: 'What regiment, boys?' Charley answered, 'Seven- 
tieth Indiana.' The man took a step up the bank to see 
the others coming, seemed stunned, dropped the butt of 
his gun to the ground and exclaimed, 'My God! all dead 
but two men and a nigger!' " 

Executive Mansion, 
Washington, Dec. 26, 1864. 
My Dear General Sherman: Many, many thanks for your 
Christmas gift, the capture of Savannah. When you were about 
leaving Atlanta for the Atlantic coast, I was anxious, if not 
fearful, but feeling that you were the better judge, and remem- 
bering that "nothing risked, nothing gained," I did not inter- 
fere. Now, the undertaking being a success, the honor is all 
yours, for I believe none of us went further than to acquiesce. 
And taking the work of General Thomas into the count, as it 
should be taken, it is indeed a great success. Not only does 
it afford the obvious and immediate military advantages, but 
in showing to the world that your army could be divided, put- 
ting the stronger part to an important new service, and yet 
leaving enough to vanquish the old opposing force of the 
whole — Hood's army — it brings those who sat in darkness to 
see a great light. But what next? I suppose it will be safer 
if I leave General Grant and yourself to decide. Please make 
my grateful acknowledgments to your whole army, officers 
and men. Yours very truly, 

A. LINCOLN. 



238 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

General Orders, No. 3. 
War Department, Adjutant General's Office. 

Washington, Jan. 14, 1865. 
The following resolution of the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives is published to the army: 

Be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
the thanks of the people and of the Congress of the United 
States are due, and are hereby tendered to Maj.-Gen. William 
T, Sherman, and through him to the officers and men under 
his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in their 
late compaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and the tri- 
umphal march thence through Georgia to Savannah, terminat- 
ing in the capture and occupation of that city; and that the 
President cause a copy of this joint resolution to be engrossed 
and forwarded to Maj.-Gen. Sherman. 

By order of the Secretary of War. 

W. A. NICHOLS, 
Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Headquarters Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 

Savannah, Ga., Dec. 24, 1864. 

Sir — I have the honor to report that on the ist day of 
November the aggregate present of the Seventieth Indiana 
Regiment was 413, which was increased to 532 on the 5th by 
an addition caused by a consolidation with the Twenty- 
seventh Indiana. On the 14th we left the Chattahoochee 
River, reaching Atlanta the same day. On the 15th, the time 
of moving from Atlanta, there were nine animals in my pos- 
session, for which, in the fifteen days previous, there had been 
drawn only three days' rations, as the twelve days' rations 
were foraged from the neighboring regions. Thirteen animals 
were added to the above number, making in all twenty-two, 
for which the government has furnished no rations, but forage 
was collected from the country to supply their wants. 

The number of rations issued to the men of the command 
I have no means of ascertaining. Since the organization of 



IN SAVANNAH 239 

the regiment the supply of food has never been so abundant 
as during the recent campaign. 

The health of the command has been excellent, the average 
number unfit for duty being less than one in one hundred. 
The daily report of the regiment has been no casualties. 
Very respectfully^ your obedient servant, 

S. MERRILL, 
Lieut. Col., Commanding Seventieth Ind. Vols. 
Lieut. A. H. Trego, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 

These oft-used words, greeted with such deHght by the 
lazy college student, give wonderful comfort also to one 
whose only claim to be like Xenophon is that he, too, tells 
of a journey through an enemy's country. If the gifted 
disciple of Socrates was driven to repeating, "Then we 
marched so many miles" again and again, who can criti- 
cise if in this unpretending narrative of a tramp through 
the hostile States of the Carolinas and Virginia there are 
tiresome repetitions. 

When the ten thousand Greeks in their famous march 
to the sea, at sight of the Euxine threw themselves into 
each other's arms, weeping and shouting for joy, they for- 
got for the ecstatic moment that before reaching home 
fearful hardships were yet to be borne. So, too, our boys, 
as they looked out toward the ocean, and saw the beau- 
tiful flag floating over the approaching vessels, were 
thrilled through and through, forgetting everything, 
hardly knowing whether the vision accompanying the view 
was of heaven or home. Soon the vision vanished, and 
the certainty that their journeyings were not yet half done, 
and that hardships indescribable were to be e^idured, called 
for all the fortitude and resolution they had in reserve. 

U. H. Farr : "We remained at Hardee's farm until Jan- 
uary seventeenth, and then moved to Hardeesville, where 
we stayed till the twenty-ninth. The country around the 
town is low and flat, and the numerous swamps made it 
anything but a desirable location. It rained much of the 

240 



"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 241 

time, and the camps were flooded with water half ankle 
deep, and as the ground was spongy, the mud was as deep 
as the water. Brush was cut from the pine trees, and piled 
in the tents to keep the men from lying in the water. 

"On the twenty-ninth we marched to Robertsville, twen- 
ty-five miles in two days, passing through the same low 
country covered with mud and water. Much of the road 
had to be corduroyed with fence rails if these could be 
found within a quarter of a mile of the road, or with poles 
cut from the woods. We lay in Robertsville two^ days; 
leaving on February second and marching on higher 
ground twelve miles, we reached Lawtonville the same day. 
Though the land as a general thing lay higher than that 
near Savannah, yet on either side of the water courses were 
swamps from a few hundred yards to a mile or more in 
width, which had always to be corduroyed for the passage 
of wagons and artillery. 

"Some half-mile to the west of Lawtonville was a small 
creek, and as the head of the column approached the 
swamp it was fired on by the enemy from the east side of 
a field on the western edge of the swamp. A skirmish line 
was thrown out, but met with such a hot fire that the ad- 
vance was stopped, and batteries were brought up to a 
rise in the ground of the field, some three or four hundred 
yards away from the enemy, and trained on the piles of 
rails along the edge of the swamp. While the division 
was forming in line the artillery did good work, as every 
shell thrown was seen to scatter the rails that had been 
piled, but the enemy somehow held to his position, and 
kept up a hot fire. When all was ready for a move forward, 
the skirmish Hne was strengthened, Companies A, B, C, 
and D, being added from the Seventieth, when the whole 



242 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

skirmish line, a mile or more long, advanced with a yell. 
Such a galling fire was poured into it that after running 
over two-thirds of the ground to be passed, the men 
dropped flat to get a good breath, preparatory to a struggle 
over the rail piles. A determined resistance was expected, 
but when the command 'Forward!' came every man was 
up instantly and with a yell the rush was made. No enemy 
was found, however, for while we were preparing for the 
last grand rush, he had quietly but quickly withdrawn into 
the tangled underbrush of the swamp. The column, pre- 
ceded by the skirmish line, pushed on and camped for the 
night at Lawtonville. 

"Our command now moved rapidly toward the interior 
and struck the Augusta and Charleston railroad at Graham's 
Turnout, and in three days tore up some seventy miles of 
that road, burning the ties and bridges and destroying the 
rails. We encamped on the opposite side of the river from 
Columbia, and saw its destruction by fire. Early the follow- 
ing morning we marched eight miles up the river and 
crossed on a pontoon bridge. We crossed the Wateree at 
Rocky Mountain and Winsboro was burned; indeed, as we 
passed through this part of the State we could see from an 
eminence by the columns of smoke that like a cloud cov- 
ered the entire front of the armies, how far the foragers 
had advanced. No house of any pretension was left, no 
outbuildings, no fences, for the solemn resolve of every 
man was that South Carolina, the prime conspirator in the 
rebellion, should be made to suffer for the sorrow she had 
brought on the country. 

"Nothing escaped the search of the foragers, for, guided 
by the negroes, everything hidden was revealed. Cattle, 
horses, eatables, everything that could be used was taken, 



"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 243 

and the slaves who proposed to follow the army were sup- 
plied with their master's clothing. Vast quantities of corn 
were found and carried to mills in sacks, the foragers turn- 
ing millers, and coming into camp loaded down with the 
material for making corn-bread. The foragers sallied out 
of camp each morning before day, hurrying to the front, 
or out on either flank of the line of march, in hopes of being 
first to find some kind of forage to bring in to their hungry 
comrades. They seldom failed to find something, even 
though they had to fight the small squads of rebels for 
it, but often it was very little, and the men had to fast 
until the foragers were more successful. Then after a fail- 
ure or two, they would come in loaded with hams, chick- 
ens, geese, turkeys, pigs, lambs, rice, potatoes, and honey, 
and the men would revel in plenty. All through the center 
and eastern part of the State they found sugar-houses with 
long lines of barrels of sugar standing around the sides 
of the building so as to let the syrup drain off, to be 
carried by troughs into a box and barreled as it accumu- 
lated." 

It is impossible in the limits of a small volume to men- 
tion individuals except as they stand for classes, or to 
relate incidents except as they illustrate in a general way 
army life. 

W. T. Done, when eighteen years old, in the spring of 
1864, enlisted and was assigned at Indianapolis as a recruit 
to Company D, of our regiment, on his choice, because 
some of his old schoolmates were in that company. After 
he had been assigned and had donned his uniform, boy 
like, he concluded, as he was not sent right ofif to the 
front, to go back to his home in the country and show 



244 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

himself to his mother. She was a widow and her only other 
5on had died in the army. 

Done could get no furlough, so he took French leave, 
having no thought of desertion, but petty officials, seeing 
the chance for making the Government fee, twenty-five 
dollars, by catching a deserter, arrested, manacled and for- 
warded him to his company. It was a long, hard journey 
for Done, cooped up nine-tenths of the time in jails, with 
deserters, bounty-jumpers, and criminals of every descrip- 
tion. In five months he reached Atlanta, after its fall, while 
the troops were lying in camps around the city. 

Word came that a prisoner had arrived who belonged to 
Company D, and was at a military prison in town. No one 
recognized his name, which was misspelled on the papers 
presented, and no one had heard that a recruit was coming. 
When an officer brought him to camp not a man knew him, 
for he was filthy, his clothing in rags, his hair long and 
uncombed, and he was pale and emaciated from long con- 
finement in vile dungeons. To everybody's surprise he 
called some of his old schoolmates by name, and added to 
their amazement by telling them who he was. One humor- 
ous old acquaintance exclaimed as he stepped forward and 
took him by the hand, "Well, now, if you ain't a bird!" and 
so he became known in the company as Bird. 

He proved to be a good soldier, was a regular dare-devil, 
and made his mark on the Carolina campaign as a first- 
class forager. He picked up a long-necked, long-bodied, 
long-legged, bony horse that was called Shellbark. Shell- 
bark was a traveler. When he got under way he was hard 
to stop. His points were observed and freely discussed 
by the boys, and the conclusion was that he had been 
trained for racing. 



"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 245 

Some clays after the army passed Columbia we entered 
a fertile portion of the State, but Wade Hampton was in 
front, and as his host was being constantly reinforced from 
other sections of the South, foraging was frequently en- 
livened by fighting. Early one morning some fifteen or 
twenty of our foragers had pushed far out in front of the 
army, but had not met with success in their search. As was 
the custom two of the number rode a hundred yards in 
advance of the squad as lookouts. They were approach- 
ing a farm-house that stood a little of? the main road, but 
was reached by a lane leading from the highway to the 
dwelling. As they came near this lane, a force of mounted 
men was seen in the yard, outnumbering two or three to 
one the squad of foragers. They were dressed in blue uni- 
forms, and our foragers, supposing they were Union men, 
decided to pass on. After the advance guard was beyond 
the mouth of the lane, and before the main party reached 
it, the troop up at the farm-house all at once opened fire 
on them, and the whole body dashed down the lane yelling, 
"Shoot the Yankee of !" One of the ad- 
vance guards was seen to fall from his horse as if killed, 
while the other jumped to the ground and darted into the 
woods. 

Our foragers, seeing they were greatly outnumbered, 
after a volley from such as could shoot quickly, turned 
and fled the way they came, pursued by what they now 
knew to be Confederates disguised in clothing taken from 
dead or captured Northern soldiers. The pursuit and 
retreat were kept up for quite a distance, our men urging 
their horses to their utmost speed. Looking down the 
avenue on which they were rushing, they saw a com- 
pany of Confederate infantry approaching, and to avoid 



246 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

them the whole squad turned to the left on an intersecting 
road, except Bird's old Shellbark. He had steam up and 
would not obey the bridle. In spite of all Bird could do he 
thundered straight on down the road right into this new 
host of the enemy. 

The foragers made a detour to the highway on which 
the main column of our corps was known to be marching, 
and reaching the regiment late in the afternoon, told of 
their misfortune — the loss of the two advance guards and 
Bird's dash to destruction. He surely had been killed, be- 
cause firing had been heard in the direction he rode. They 
had brought no forage, being satisfied with their escape. 

The men of Company D soon heard the bad news, and 
talked of Bird as dead, telling of his good qualities, espe- 
cially of his wonderful daring, and forbearing to mention 
what a desperate swearer he had become during his 
dungeon experience. On halting for the night the sad 
tidings were the sole subject of conversation. When the 
old darkey cook Bill came up with the camp kettle and 
mess pans — any horse over six years and any man, white or 
black, over thirty, was called old by the boys — he listened to 
the story in silent dejection, amazing in one usually bois- 
terously cheerful, but after "studying" awhile burst out 
with, "No, gemmen, dey cain't hurt Bud. He wall come in 
all right. Ole Shellbok will fotch him sartin; you'uns will 
see." 

Darkness and thousands of camp-fires were beginning to 
reveal each other's presence when someone called out, 
"Run here, boys! That looks like old Shellbark coming 
over yonder." The road was soon full of staring men, and 
sure enough it was old Shellbark, loaded down with for- 
age. Bird sitting on top with his legs dangling one side, 



"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 247 

while the bridle reins hung loose, the horse taking his 
own gait and choosing his own way. The comrades sent 
up a cheer when Bird came up, and the old darkey, pulling 
him off, hugged him as he cried, "I tole 'em you would 
come in all right, dat ole Shellbok would fotch you, and 
sho' nuff heah you is." The boys and old Bill took the 
load from the animal, which consisted of a hog with the 
bristles still on, split in two so as to swing from each side 
of the horse, besides chickens, sweet potatoes and other 
provisions fit to gladden the hearts and satisfy the appe- 
tites of tired, marching men. 

As soon as Bird had had his supper he was made to tell 
his adventures. He said when he came to the forks of 
the road in the mad flight, and saw the fresh force of the 
enemy straight ahead, he aimed to pull off to the left with 
the balance of the squad, but in spite of him his horse 
rushed right on toward the approaching infantry. He saw 
them getting ready to shoot, and presently could hear 
them yelling to him to halt and surrender, but he could 
not have stopped his horse even if he had wanted to. He 
expected to be shot, so just shut his eyes and clung to old 
Shellbark. After a moment which seemed an age, when 
he knew he must have passed them, he opened his eyes and 
just then several shots rang out. He could not help won- 
dering what kept them from firing sooner. After going 
several miles the horse slowed up, and finally dropped into 
a walk. 

Bird found himself in a rich and productive country, 
dotted with farm-houses, the inhabitants of which had left 
on the approach of Sherman's army. There was neither 
friend nor foe to divide or dispute with, so he loaded faith- 
ful old Shellbark with the abundant forage, and climbing 



248 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

on top headed him for the road on which our division was 
marching. 

Thanks to horse and rider. Company D had plenty to 
eat that night, and some to spare for those who were not 
so lucky. The remark was made later in not very elegant 
English: "I guess it must have been that old race hoss 
Shellbark what cured Bird of his dreadful cussin' and dam- 



U. H, Farr: "One morning I started out at break of 
day to forage for our ordnance train, and after trudging 
along two or three hours, came to a fine mansion, and was 
conducted by an old negro, the sole occupant of the exten- 
sive quarters, to a building containing some two hundred 
bushels of shelled corn in sacks. While I was watching and 
waiting for the train a Lieutenant with a squad of men 
searching for forage for the Second Division took posses- 
sion and ordered me to move on. As soon as the Third 
Division, which was in advance that day, came in sight, I 
saluted General Ward and told him the circumstances, and 
asked for a detail of a Captain and ten men. The General 
turned in his saddle and ordered a Colonel to do as I re- 
quested. As I now had a Captain under my command, 
I proudly marched back to my forage and ordered the 
Lieutenant to move on, who gave himself and myself, also, 
great satisfaction by the volleys of oaths he poured out as 
he departed. Greatly elated over my executive ability, I 
put the Captain and his men in charge of the corn, ordered 
the wagonmaster when he appeared on the road to detach 
several wagons to be loaded, and continued my foraging 
expedition, saying to myself, 'Now that I have supplied 
all the animals of my division with feed for one day, it 
becomes my duty to see that the men have sufficient food. 



'•THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 249 

"But my pride was soon taken out of me, for the delay 
had resulted in the seizure of everything by the advanc- 
ing troops. However, toward evening I came tO' a 
house deserted by its owners, but left in charge of an old 
colored couple who occupied a cabin near by. The yard 
was full of chickens and a dog barked at me. When the 
old slaves came out I told them I was a Yankee soldier, 
one of Lincoln's men. They seemed stunned and just 
stood and looked at me. I tried in vain to get the dog 
to help me catch the chickens, while the old man stood 
and stared at me as one dazed. I called him to help, and 
as he still looked without moving, I recollected that he had 
always been a slave, used to the commands of white folks, 
so I stormed at him and ordered him to take the dog and 
help me catch the chickens. This brought him to his 
senses, and he dashed in with the dog, and soon I was 
almost loaded down with fat hens. One wilder than the 
rest, chased by the negro and his dog, flew up a woody 
slope toward the road on which the army was beginning 
to pass. All of a sudden the man came dashing down that 
slope, white as a negro ghost, leaped the yard fence at one 
bound, rushed to his w4fe, slapped his hands on his thighs 
and exclaimed over and over, 'Fore God, Dinah ! Fore God, 
Dinah!' His amazed w4fe tried to get something else out 
of him, and at last he cried out, 'De big road am full of 
sogers, an' bosses, an' wagons, an' cannons; jist miles of 
'em.' When I endeavored to get him to catch more chick- 
ens he was too crazy to hear me, but wild with excitement 
the two slaves began to pack up everything they could 
carry to find freedom by following the army. 

"As the army swept through the State, slaves in count- 
less numbers thronged after it, of all ages, sexes and con- 



250 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ditions, from extreme old age to the new-born pickaninny 
in the mother's arms; black slaves, mulatto slaves, slaves 
so white that no Northern man w'ould have thought that 
a drop of African blood was in their veins. The throng 
became so great that it impeded the movement of the army. 
When we came to Broad River, above Columbia, the guard 
was instructed to allow no negro to pass over the pontoon 
bridge unless he belonged to some command as cook or 
hostler. When the army had crossed and the southern end 
of the pontoon had been cut loose, a cloud of human be- 
ings covered the river bank for miles, and the waiHng and 
lamentation was indescribable. Imagine the surprise, how- 
ever, when within twenty-four hours thousands of the 
poor creatures had found some way to cross and joined 
the advancing host. 

''The rebel army in our front, under the command of 
Wade Hampton, was growing larger every day, and our 
army was constantly on the lookout for serious opposition. 
As we approached the Wateree, which is a broad, rapid 
stream, means were adopted to secure a crossing without 
opposition. Our brigade was marching that day in front 
of the rest of the division, but one or more divisions w^ere 
in front of us. As darkness came on we expected to go into 
camp soon, especially when we saw troops already en- 
camped for the night, but we passed through their camps, 
our marching pace w^as quickened, and away we went 
scurrying into the darkness. Our brigade, which seemed 
to be alone, hurried on at a rapid rate till after midnight, 
when it was massed in an open field, and the order was 
passed along that perfect quiet must be maintained. 

"Presently a wagon loaded with ropes and a skifif was 
taken to the front, and then all was so still that many of 



"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 25 1 

the men, worn out by the long march, fell on the ground 
and were soon fast asleep. The skiff was launched in the 
Wateree just in front of us, and a few men rowed to the 
farther shore carrying a small rope which was made fast to 
a larger. Then the skiff was hurried back and forth, tak- 
ing more men, some of whom threw up a barricade, while 
others pulled the heavier rope' over. By the time the cable 
was drawn across and fastened to a tree, a hundred men 
from the head of the column were well entrenched on the 
opposite bank. A larger boat was put into use and men 
in greater numbers were ferried over. 

"The pontoon train now moved to the front, loaded with 
material for making a floating bridge, and there was a 
race in the darkness to see whether the night or the bridge 
would be completed first. By daybreak the whole brigade 
was over and had taken a strong position on the hills, and 
by noon the Twentieth Corps was on the east side. By 
night, however, the rain was pouring down in torrents, 
and before all the left wing had crossed, the bridge broke 
loose at one end and the river had swollen till there were 
no pontoons to span it. The right wing of the army was 
in even a worse condition, and was compelled to take up 
the bridge they had laid, march up to ours, splice it with 
their boats and cross on this extended bridge. 

"As it continued to rain night and day, the roads, the 
fields, and the hills even, became quagmires, so that it was 
necessary to corduroy the region before the wagons and 
the artillery could be drawn to the hills on the east side. 
It took the army several days to cross this river, so that the 
region was entirely stripped of provisions by the rebel and 
Union forces. A quarter ration of bacon and crackers was 
issued each day to keep the men from starving. When we 



252 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

Started on the march again we found white women stand- 
ing at the roadside with crying children hanging to their 
skirts, holding out aprons or small baskets begging for 
food. The men had not much left from their meager ra- 
tions, but they divided what they had. Some only had a 
cracker, but they broke it in two and dropped the half in 
the open apron. There to kill opposing men, and not 
knowing when or where food for the future was to come 
from, they could not bear to see women and children of 
the enemy starving." 

The following communication, somewhat condensed, is 
from J. F. Snow of Company D: "At Cheraw, near the 
north line of South Carolina, the foragers, under command 
of Captain Fesler, secured a good supply of provisions 
some twenty miles from the army's line of march, and 
started on their return to the regiment. Frank Hall of 
Company A had found a buggy, which the rest of us had 
loaded with forage and, going a long way ahead of the 
main party, turned to the left when he should have taken 
the road to the right. J. M. Brown, C. Townsend and 
myself, all members of Company D, started to hunt him, 
for the load in the carriage was for our company. It was 
almost night when we set out, and was about ten o'clock 
when we saw him coming towards us. He said he had been 
looking from a hill at a camp of Johnnies about a half mile 
ahead. We told him to drive to a grist-mill some ten 
miles away, where we had collected a lot of provisions, and 
after we had taken a look at the Johnnies we would join 
him. 

"Fires were burning brightly, as though the rebels had 
just camped and were preparing supper. A farm-house was 
nearby, surrounded by negro cabins, so we rode into the 



•THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 253 

yard, waked the negroes, and told them we were Yankees 
and wanted something to eat. They gave us hoecake. A 
large bloodhound discovered us. A bullet quieted him, but 
roused the rebels. They beat the long roll, formed in 
line and got ready for battle. We did not tarry to see 
what else they did, but thought best to keep our engage- 
ment with Hall at the mill. 

"The next morning Townsend and Hall went to camp 
with all the forage they could carry, but Brown and I 
remained to capture some horses and mules that we heard 
were secreted in the brush, for we were anxious to get 
something to carry the balance of our provisions. Our 
luck was excellent, for we found a number of animals, and 
had negroes riding some and leading others. Late in the 
afternoon, when we were going to our rendezvous at the 
old mill, we saw rebel cavalry in front of us, so we gave 
the Hoosier yell and charged. The Johnnies skedaddled, 
for they no doubt thought a troop of mounted Yankees 
was after them. Fortunately the negroes did not see the 
rebels, for if they had they would not have laughed as they 
did, and most of them would have gone back, and taken 
our stock with them. 

"There were some of the One Hundred and Second Illi- 
nois regiment at the mill grinding corn, and as they were 
like brothers to us, we loaned them our animals to carry 
provisions to camp, they agreeing to give us half for the use 
of our stock. Brown and I set out for camp, twenty miles 
away, but when we had gone fifteen miles we heard that 
our army had moved on, and that the rebels were camped 
where the Yankees had been. Not believing this, we went 
to see, and got a company of rebel cavalry after us. We 
struck out for the old mill again as fast as our horses could 



254 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

go, and soon gathered eighteen other foragers, making a 
squad of twenty in all. Night was on us, but the moon 
was shining. 

"The company having selected me for leader, I went in 
advance, and seeing two objects in the road, dashed for- 
ward and questions and answers came quick as flashes of 
lightning: 'Where do you belong?' 'One Hundred and 
Second Illinois!' 'Where are your comrades that were at 
the mill?' 'All killed or captured but us two, and one of 
us has a flesh wound in the thigh.' 'How many rebels 
attacked you, and where are they now?' 'About a hun- 
dred, and they are coming this way.' 

"Now we were in a fix, with the enemy in our front and 
rear and our army gone. The only thing to be done was 
to leave our horses in the timber and go afoot. We were 
fastening the animals about a hundred yards from the road 
when the two companies of rebels met on the very spot we 
had just abandoned. Our horses were securely tied to the 
trees, and as they were tired they did not betray us by 
making a noise. We took nothing but our guns and 
ammunition and started down Jones Creek for the Great 
Pedee River. Although undiscovered by them, we saw 
the enemy's pickets plainly and had to crawl through the 
lines on our hands and knees. When the boys got tired 
we would stop for a few minutes' rest, and as some of them 
would go to sleep as soon as we halted, we had to wake 
such of them as we could find. Every now and then one 
would be left, so that only eleven of the twenty-two reached 
the Pedee River. God help those we lost, was our thought. 
"When Brown and I finally caught up to the wagon 
train we were more dead than alive, for we had had four 
days and three nights of as hard marching as ever fell to 



"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 255 

the lot of mortal man. More than thirty-five years have 
passed, and I have not recovered from this trip, and no 
doubt it hastened Brown to his grave. He was a true 
comrade and a brave man, always ready to perform any 
duty." 

With characteristic unwillingness to say anything that 
would give pain to relatives Brown does not mention this 
adventure in his letters, but writes just thereafter, in his 
usual cheery way, as follows: "We are compelled to wade 
all the smaller watercourses. These, in some cases, are 
waist deep, and one of the most amusing sights of the 
service is to be seen just after crossing some of the deepest 
of these streams. We are allowed time to stop and dry 
our clothing, and to see a regiment of men, company offi- 
cers and all, standing around fires, each man holding up 
his pants or drawers, is fun, at least for us boys. Many 
times we were not permitted to stop, but trudged right 
on through mud and water, our clothing drying as we 
marched. There has been rain in abundance and we have 
found food rather scarce on this march. While in the pine 
swamps near the North Carolina line our mess sent out 
James Simpson to forage, and after being out a night and 
two days, he returned with a half-dozen ears of corn, and 
these he said he had just stolen from the Colonel's horse." 
Poor Billy! 

U, H. Farr: "From Rocky Mount we marched to 
Chesterfield and to Sneedsboro, North Carolina. Going 
down the river, we crossed it at Cheraw, which we found a 
mass of burning ruins. During the march through South 
Carolina the enemy was malignant, the citizens hiding from 
the army, but coming out and pouncing upon our men 
whenever they could be found in numbers small enough to 



256 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

be overpowered. The bodies of the dead Union soldiers 
showed very plainly that they had not been killed in open 
fight, but that subsequent to their surrender they had been 
stabbed, their throats cut, and their bodies mutilated after 
death. This was not regarded as war, so when one of our 
men was found in this condition, two prisoners were shot 
and the rebel commanders of^cially informed of the fact, 
and told to warn the people to discontinue their barbarous 
practices. 

"From Cheraw we moved toward Fayetteville on the 
Cape Fear River. The rebels took a stand twO' or three 
miles from this city, but our foragers, representing every 
company in the army, forming quite a host when united, 
came into collision with his outposts. These men pushed 
the outposts back on the main body, which they found 
intrenched. As if by instinct the thousands of foragers, 
though mounted in every conceivable manner, formed in 
line, counted off cavalry fashion, dismounted, leaving every 
fourth man to hold the horses, and carried the rifle pits at 
the point of the bayonet. The horses were then brought 
up, the enemy driven into Fayetteville and across the river. 
The day we lay at Fayetteville a monitor from Wilming- 
ton arrived with dispatches, and we heard of the fall of 
Charleston and the general news, the first we had received 
from the outside world since leaving the vicinity of Savan- 
nah." 

Templeton Smith, H. Rapp and C. Tucker of Company 
B, entered a dwelling where the mistress had prepared an 
elegant dinner — roast turkey, sweet potatoes and hot bis- 
cuit — for General Joe Wheeler and stafif. These unin- 
vited guests in blue were greeted by the reluctant hostess 
with, "Get out of here or Til scald you." A threat of the 



"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 257 

bayonet shut off danger from hot water, but did not stop 
the torrent of vituperation. While a dehige of words was 
engulfing Rapp and Tucker, Smith scooped the turkey, 
potatoes and biscuits into a huge dishpan, quickly wrapped 
the tablecloth around to keep them warm and disappeared. 
The lady doubtless is still unconverted and talking yet, 
but Wheeler's later history almost makes one feel sorry for 
him. 

U. H. Farr: "Having moved out from Fayetteville 
early on the morning of March sixteenth, we heard artil- 
lery firing in our advance. The second and third brigades 
of our division were in front of the enemy with two or 
three batteries, the infantry supporting the artillery. The 
guns were pushed up closer and closer by hand, while they 
poured shells into the enemy's entrenchments, — a low line 
of dirt rifle pits running across the flat country. The in- 
fantry, of course, moved up with the guns, keeping as 
close to the ground as possible, so as to offer no mark to 
the enemy. Meanwhile our brigade was sent to the left 
through the woods, and passing around the right end of 
the enemy's line, formed at right angles to his works. 
When the firing began the rebels made no effort to stop 
this flank movement, but stampeded to the rear, leaving 
many wounded and dead and two pieces of light artillery. 
General Hardee came near capture while he was watching 
the troops in front. Suddenly he saw the flanking line, 
put spurs to his horse and dashed from the field." 

J. M. Wills: "Near Averasborough our corps came 
upon the rebel army strongly fortified, and we had a 
hard fight. Our brigade charged a battery, killed or cap- 
tured all the horses, took fifty-six prisoners and seized one 
twelve-pounder gun and one twelve-pounder howitzer. 



258 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

"My squad of foragers, while passing through a heavy 
piece of pine timber, found a vvagonload of white corn. 
We took possession, and going to a small mill, started it 
and ground our grain into meal. One bushel per hour was 
the capacity of that mill. While engaged in this slow work 
we saw something in the water that excited our curiosity. 
It proved to be a fine small brass cannon, named the Star 
of the West. One wheel had gotten out of order, and in 
their haste tO' get away the rebels had thrown the Star 
of the West into the mill-pond. While foraging we asked 
a young black man where his people had hidden their 
meat. 'Lah, Massa, up in the woods.' He led the way 
to the place, and we resurrected sixty-four hams, six for 
each company and four for the field and staff. 

"After the Averasborough battle we had a good many 
sick and wounded to care for, and I was detailed with ten 
others to forage for the hospital. While we were in dis- 
charge of our duty, one of the boys got into an old shuck- 
pen and found eighty-seven dollars in fifty-cent pieces. 
The sick and wounded could not eat these; they might 
give comfort to the enemy, so we thought the best use we 
could make of them was to divide them equally among 
ourselves. 

"While the army was moving toward Goldsboro we 
foragers ran on to Wheeler's cavalrymen. They disap- 
peared without waiting for our orders, and we entered a 
farm-house not far away, where we found the owner at 
home, as he was too rich to be in the army. There was side 
meat in great abundance and yams by the wagonload. It 
struck me that every hog had as many hams as sides, so 
after searching we found an opening into the garret, where 
was concealed the kind of meat a sick or wounded man 



"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 259 

would relish. We selected and threw down twenty-four of 
the best hams, added them to our wagonload of yams, and 
bid the former owner good-day. The meanest trick I saw 
in my foraging experience was done that morning. The 
man of the house had on a new pair of jean pantaloons, 
woven from red and white yarn that had been twisted to- 
gether. A boy from the One Hundred and Second Illi- 
nois made him haul off his good trousers and swap for the 
dirty, ragged ones the Sucker wore." 

U. H. Farr : "As we marched through Averasborough 
many crippled rebels with arms in slings or heads ban- 
daged, crowded out of the hospital and watched us passing 
by. All of a sudden a wounded soldier rushed into the 
ranks and seized one of the Seventy-ninth boys, calling out 
to him, 'Hello, Jamie!' The two Irishmen, who had been 
close friends before the war, but had separated, the one 
going South, the other West, actually hugged each other. 
The friend of Jamie, a conscript forced into the rebel 
army, declared that nothing could keep him from joining 
his companion; though wounded he could march, and 
the next morning he was keeping step with his friend. 

"On the morning of March nineteenth, soon after we 
started, the booming of cannon was heard from the direc- 
tion the Fourteenth Corps had taken. At first but little 
attention was paid to this, but as we drew nearer and the 
roar increased and became incessant, and the rattle of 
musketry was perceived, the ranks closed up, and the list- 
less, tired look disappeared from every face. Soon orderhes 
on sweating horses dashed down the road, and away we 
went on the double-quick to support our hard-pressed 
comrades. Just as we reached the field the rebels were 
making a charge, but through the belching of cannon and 



26o THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

the crash of musketry a loud cheer could be heard to the 
right, showing that our men, at that point at least, had 
repulsed the attack. Our brigade was hurried into line 
and thrown out to the left, where the rebels seemed to be 
contemplating a flank movement. A skirmish line was 
pushed out to the left of this line even, through a dense 
woods, to prevent surprise. Assault after assault was made 
by the rebels, each one feebler than the one preceding, 
extending the battle into the night, but at last the noise 
ceased, and the men lay quiet, expecting to renew the con- 
test in the morning. 

"Two or three days later General Sherman took his 
station by the roadside, and we passed in review as we 
approached Goldsboro. We marched in platoons, and I 
doubt if at any time the troops of the rebel army were 
more ragged than we. Probably one man in a dozen had 
a full suit of clothes, but even this suit was patched or full 
of holes. Most of the men had used all the makeshifts 
possible to keep up something like decent clothing. Many 
were bareheaded or had a handkerchief tied arovmd the 
head. Many had on hats they had found in the houses 
along the line of march, an old worn-out affair in every 
instance^ — tall crushed silk hats, some revolutionary styles, 
many without tops, caps so holey that the hair was sticking 
out, brimless hats, brimless caps, hats mostly brim. Many 
men had no coats or wore buttonless blouses, and being 
without shirts their naked chests protruded. Many a 
coat had no sleeves, or one only, the sleeves having been 
used to patch the seat or knees of the trousers, in a mend- 
ing that did not mend appearances, for the dark blue of 
the patch contrasted with the light color of the pantaloons. 
The thread used was coarse white cotton twine, and the 



"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 261 

amateur tailor fastened the patch to the outside with long 
running stitches. Generally both legs of the trousers were 
off nearly to the knees, though now and then a man more 
fortunate had only one leg exposed. Socks had disap- 
peared weeks before, and many a shoeless patriot, with feet 
torn by briars in the recent advance through the thickets 
at Bentonville and Averasborough, kept step with a half- 
shod comrade. But the men who had cut off the tails of 
their dress coats 'to stop a hole to keep the wind away,' 
though bronzed and weather-beaten, marched by General 
Sherman with heads up and a springy, elastic step, every 
motion speaking a willingness to follow wherever he might 
lead. 

"Bandbox soldiers, as the boys good-naturedly called 
them, who had recently come on vessels from the North, 
lined the road as spectators, cheered uproariously and 
laughed till the tears ran down their faces whenever the 
panorama of raggedness became unusually ludicrous, but 
the General, whose hat was off through it all, bowed the 
lower when some sinewy specimen of military humanity, 
whose clothing hung in tatters worn to shreds by rail- 
carrying and wagon-lifting, indifferent to the merriment 
of the onlookers, stepped proudly in front of his leader. 
Occasionally the marching army, forgetting that it was 
passing in review, remembering all that had been accom- 
plished in the past, and confident that Johnston's and 
Lee's armies must go down before its onset, would burst 
into triumphant cheers," 

General W. T. Ward's report, which is too comprehen- 
sive for insertion here, mentions in terms of highest praise 
the members of his staff from the Seventieth Indiana, Cap- 
tain Scott and Lieutenants Hardenbrook and Harryman. 



262 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

It may be proper to introduce extracts from Generals 
Sherman's and Slocum's reports: 

I beg to express, in the most emphatic manner, my entire 
satisfaction with the tone and temper of the whole army. 
Nothing seems to dampen their energy, zeal or cheerfulness. 
It is impossible to conceive a march involving more labor 
and exposure, yet I cannot recall an instance of bad temper 
by the way or hearing an expression of doubt as to our perfect 
success in the end. I believe that this cheerfulness and har- 
mony of action reflects upon all concerned quite as much 
real honor and fame as "battles gained" or "cities won," and 
I therefore commend all — generals, stafif, officers, and men — 
for these high qualities, in addition to the more soldierly ones 
of obedience to orders and the alacrity they have always man- 
ifested when danger summoned them "to the front." 

I have the honor to be your obedient servant, 

W. T. SHERMAN, 
Major-General, Commanding. 

Goldsboro, N. €., April 4, 1865. 

I have witnessed on the campaign scenes which have given 
me a more exalted opinion than I ever before entertained 
of the earnest patriotism which actuates the soldiers of this 
army. I have repeatedly seen soldiers of my command, who 
were making parched corn supply the place of bread and w^ho 
were nearly destitute of shoes and clothing, go cheerfully to 
their labor in the swamps of South CaroUna, working hour 
after hour in mud and water to bring forward our immense 
trains, and yet during all these privations and hardships I 
have never heard from an officer or soldier one word of com- 
plaint. 

I am, sir, very respectfullv, vour obedient servant, 

H. W. SLOCUM, 
Major-General, Commanding. 

Goldsboro, N. C, March 30, 1865, 



"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS" 263 

Hdqrs. Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 

Near Goldsboro, N. C, March 26, 1865. 

I have the honor to make the following report relating to 
the recent march from Savannah, Ga., to this place to date: 

The regiment destroyed about one mile of track, captured 
nineteen horses, twenty-six mules and about fifty head of cat- 
tle. Destroyed no cotton gins or cotton. About fifty negroes 
followed the regiment. 

Obtained from the country through which we passed forage 

for seventy-five horses and mules; supplies or rations for five 

hundred and ten officers and men for about forty-two days 

during the march. 

Z. S. RAGAN, 

Major Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 

Lieut. A. H. Trego, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Itinerary as found in Lieutenant J. C. Bennett's diary for 
1865: 

February first and second, Robertsville. 

February third, Lawtonville. 

February fourth, Orins. 

February fifth, Alison. 

February eighth, Graham's Turnout. 

February ninth, Blackville. 

February tenth, Williston. 

February eleventh, South Edisto. 

February twelfth, North Edisto. 

February thirteenth, five miles from North Edisto. 

February fourteenth, crossroads at Lexington and Co- 
lumbia. 

February fifteenth, near Lexington Court House. 

February sixteenth, congaree in front of Columbia. 

February seventeenth, near Saluda River. 

February eighteenth, between Saluda and Broad. 

February nineteenth, on Broad River. 

February twentieth, marched all night. 

February twenty-first, passed through Winnsborough. 



264 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

February twenty-second, crossed Big Wateree, camped on 
east side Catawba. 

February twenty-third, marched southeast five miles. 

February twenty-fourth, marched five miles through mud 
and rain, 

February twenty-fifth, remained in camp. 

February twenty-sixth, at Hanging Rock. 

February twenty-seventh, lay in camp. 

February twenty-eighth, between Hanging Rock and Linch 
Creek. 

March first, crossed Little and Big Linch Creeks. Camp 
two miles beyond. 

March second, marched ten miles toward Chesterfield. 

March fourth, left Chesterfield and camped in North Car- 
olina. 

March fifth, stopped in camp. 

March sixth, camped near Cheraw. 

March seventh, passed through Cheraw at four o'clock a. 
m. and camped sixteen miles out on Fayetteville road, near 
railroad. 

March eighth, marched eleven miles and stopped on Little 
Creek. 

March ninth, encampment on Lumber River. 

March tenth, spent the night near Rock Fish Creek. 

March eleventh, made corduroy road as we marched and 
camped near Fayetteville. 

March twelfth, staid in camp. 

March thirteenth, marched through Fayetteville. Arsenal 
building fine. Crossed Cape Fear River and camped four 
miles beyond. 

March fourteenth, while in camp here a detail went to Wil- 
mington. 

March fifteenth, marched ten miles, bummers driving the 
rebels before them. 

March sixteenth, skirmishing all day. Our brigade cap- 
tured three pieces of artillery. Drove rebels five miles and 
camped at Huckleberry swamp. 



"THEN THEY MARCHED FIVE PARASANGS"' 265 

March seventeenth, dined at Averasborough. Rebels left 
thirty of their wounded here. 

March eighteenth, marched day and night, wading two 
swamps. 

March nineteenth, breakfasted at five o'clock A. M., then 
marched on ten miles and built breastworks on the left of the 
Fourteenth Corps. 

March twentieth, moved forward a half-mile and built new 
breastworks. 

March twenty-first, fell back to old line, then advanced to 
new line again. 

March twenty-second, marched towards Goldsboro. 

March twenty-third, crossed Neuse River and camped 
within four miles of Goldsboro. 

March twenty-fourth, marched through Goldsboro to camp 
three miles beyond. 

March twenty-sixth, our new colors came, costing three 
hundred and twenty-five dollars. 

April fifth, the Seventieth and the One Hundred and Fifth 
went foraging some six miles out. Some of the boys got too 
much whisky. The preaching at night from the fifty-fifth 
chapter of Isaiah seemed quite appropriate. 

April sixth, review by General Mower. Received news of 
the fall of Richmond. 

April ninth, preparing for another campaign. 

April tenth, we left Goldsboro. 



CHAPTER XV. 
RICHMOND, WASHINGTON, AND HOME 

At Goldsboro, on March twenty-sixth, the colors which 
had been ordered from New York came, costing three hun- 
dred and twenty-five dollars. The hatless, shoeless, ragged, 
smoke-begrimed, weather-stained boys came crowding up 
as they were unfurled. One tattered enthusiast broke out 
with, "Lord, boys, they'll think we're a new regiment and 
come charging to take us in; but won't they be fooled 
though?" A shock-headed fellow, with brawny arms, 
gleaming eyes and compressed lips muttered, "By God, the 
rebel division can't be found that can take them away from 
us!" Sterne would have said, "The recording angel, as 
he wrote it down, dropped a tear and blotted it out for- 
ever." 

U. H. Farr: "We camped in some pine woods northeast 
of Goldsboro, and busied ourselves for the next week read- 
ing and writing letters, cleaning guns, drawing clothes, 
foraging and doing picket duty. When the news of the 
fall of Petersburg and Richmond came, and the order to 
move against Johnston was received, there was a night of 
uproar, men cheering and canteens exploding. 

"On the tenth of April we moved out and reached Smith- 
field the next evening, to find the rebel army had fallen 
back to Raleigh. The next morning early, and before our 
part of the command had left the camp, we heard loud 
cheering in front of us at the town. This cheering kept 
up at a certain point all the morning. As we drew near 
the edge of the town, about eight or nine o'clock, we saw 

266 



RICHMOND, WASHINGTON, AND HOME 267 

General Sherman to the left of the road walking back and 
forth. A staff officer stepped out and handed Colonel 
Merrill a paper. He stopped his horse and the regiment 
halted in the road. The Colonel read so we all heard, that 
General Lee had surrendered his army to General Grant 
at Appomattox, and the order also to press Johnston. Wild 
cheers were given, although the news was almost too good 
to believe, and the men started off briskly toward Raleigh. 

"The day we approached that city, April thirteenth, the 
Seventieth was in front and had been informed that the 
rebel army was still there. All day long our advance guard 
and we of the regular column had expected to run across 
the enemy's outposts, and now from the high rolling 
ground the church spires of the town could be seen glit- 
tering in the evening sunshine. A little in our advance 
men were seen standing in the road, and as we came up 
they proved to be city officials, who had come out to make 
a surrender of the place, and to say that the rebel army was 
forty miles away at Greenville." 

April fifteenth. Lieutenant Bennett: "A protracted 
meeting has been in progress for some time, conducted by 
Chaplains Scott, Baptist, of the One Hundred and Twenty- 
ninth IlHnois; Stillwell, Methodist, of the Seventy-ninth 
Ohio, and Allen, Presbyterian, of the Seventieth Indiana. 
On Sunday the Lord's Supper was celebrated. Twelve 
comrades were baptized. There have been from twelve to 
fifteen inquirers every night. We arrange the grounds in 
old campmeeting style by rolling logs together and laying 
boards across for seats. At the four corners of the ground 
elevated fire stands are made by driving four forked stakes 
in the earth and covering them first with poles, then with 
dirt. Pine knots burning on these tall lamp stands give us 



268 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

light. We construct a platform for the chaplains. Twelve 
joined the Christian Association one night, signing this 
bond of union: 

" 'We do hereby acknowledge to each other, and to our 
God, our belief in the Holy Scriptures, and that they are 
the only sufficient rule for our faith and practice; and our 
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Savior of sinners, 
and do pledge ourselves by the grace of God to live as 
becometh the Gospel of Christ.' " 

U. H. Farr : "While terms of Johnston's surrender were 
being discussed, news came of President Lincoln's assassi- 
nation, which cast a gloom over the entire army. The men, 
who had never dreamed of such a stroke, were moved pro- 
foundly, and the longing for one more battle, in which no 
prisoners should be taken, was universal." 

Lieutenant Ketcham: "Our joy is changed to sorrow; 
our friendship toward the vanquished to bitter hatred. If 
it be true that our beloved President is thus cruelly mur- 
dered, it seems to me that Providence permits it, because 
he has been, and would be, too lenient to these proud, over- 
bearing, ignorant Southern 'gentlemen,' and that Johnson 
will crush their cruel, wicked spirit with his iron heel. I 
must confess I begin to hate the scoundrels for the first 
time." 

U. H. Farr: "Company D was detailed to guard the 
Insane Asylum, a large brick building in the suburbs of 
Raleigh. One day I was on guard at the front door on 
the veranda, and as some trouble had arisen because the 
superintendent had refused to admit a negro soldier who 
had lost his reason, a General who was temporarily in com- 
mand during Sherman's absence, came to investigate the 
matter. I was pacing back and forth on the veranda 



RICHMOND, WASHINGTON, AND HOME 269 

when this General and a Lieutenant came up. I did not 
notice who it was, but saw the two stars on his shoulder 
straps, so faced outward and brought my gun to a present 
arms. As they passed, the Lieutenant gave me a salute in 
return, but the General did not. I was mad, and decided 
that as the General came out I would stop him and make 
him salute me, as no officer had a right to pass a sentinel 
without saluting. After waiting a long while I saw them 
emerge from a door into the hall and start toward me, 
but when they came into plain view I saw that the General 
had one empty sleeve stuffed into a pocket, and looking 
into his face I recognized General Howard. My wrath, 
which had flashed up so quickly, died in a second; so I 
faced out, presented arms, and was answered by a salute 
from the Lieutenant and a bow from the General. 

"The army became restless, and the men were on the 
hunt for anything interesting or amusing. A man oc- 
cupied a cell in the asylum with a window overlooking a 
wide space. He did not seem to be at all insane, was 
smart, a good singer, knew a lot of rebel songs, and could 
tell stories to perfection. He professed to be a Union man 
and begged to be released. He had a violin and knew 
how to use it. He would drop down a line and draw up 
eatables the boys would give him. Soldiers would come 
in from all the command and stand outside the guard line, 
some sixty to eighty feet away, and listen to him sing and 
play, and as the days came and went more and more came 
to hear him, till finally they began to clamor for him to be 
let out, and to contend that he was truly a Union man, 
imprisoned because he would not fight for the South. 

"One day I was on guard at the beat his window over- 
looked, when the crowd began to assemble earlier than 



270 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

usual, so that before noon hundreds of men were standing 
just outside my beat with upturned faces listening to 
Rainey, that was his name, sing. I marched back and 
forth, with my bayonet pointing toward the crowd, and 
whenever a man advanced I lunged at him and ordered 
him to keep back. But it was not long till the hundreds 
had swelled into thousands, and the crowd in the rear 
pressed those in advance over the sentinel's beat. The 
crowd in front of me gave way before my swinging gun, 
but as soon as I passed they would surge over again. I 
patiently marched back and cleared the path again. I did 
this time after time, till I grew hot and tired and hoarse. 
Some of the men now became bold and would not give 
way until they felt the bayonet; then they began to threaten 
and curse me. I was just ready to call on my company 
for help, when all at once, while I was near the middle of 
my beat, I heard some one in my rear storm out, 'Back! 
Back!' and I heard the men behind me giving back and 
saw those in front of me falling back while looking at 
something in my rear. I heard a saber and other trappings 
rattling, but I did not turn till I got to the end of my beat, 
when I faced about and saw Major-General Mower swing- 
ing his drawn sword and yelling, 'Give back,' while his 
horse went plunging among the men, who were tumbling 
over each other to get out of the way. I saluted him, and 
he saw that the sweat was pouring ofT my face, and that 
I was nearly exhausted. He turned on the men, exclaim- 
ing, 'Soldiers, I am surprised at you. Here you have been 
imposing on this sentinel, who had a right to shoot .you 
down, but he forebore to do it. You all know the duty 
of a sentinel, for I see by your bronzed faces that you are 
veterans. Shame on you for so far forgetting yourselves 



RICHMOND, WASHINGTON, AND HOME 271 

as to impose on the good-natured forbearance of a sen- 
tinel, one of your own comrades. Now disperse to your 
quarters, and do not assemble here again. Sentinel, load 
your gun and shoot down the first man who attempts to 
press on your beat again.' Shortly after this Rainey, hav- 
ing been examined by the surgeons, was released and fol- 
lowed the army to the North. 

"April twenty-second we again passed in review before 
General Sherman. On the twenty-fifth we marched to- 
wards Jones' Cross Roads, twelve miles, and on the 
twenty-eighth moved back to Raleigh. 

"Soon it was announced that the war was ended, and 
that the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Twentieth 
Corps would march to Washington. On the morning of 
the thirtieth of April the four corps broke camp amid the 
cheers of the thousands of men, and the white tents that so 
thickly dotted the plain around the city came down as if 
by magic. As we marched through the city of Raleigh 
the bands of each brigade or division played, and the men 
of the Twenty-third Corps lined the streets to bid us fare- 
well. The march soon became a race between the four 
corps, and the miles were passed over rapidly. The men 
from General Lee's army, whom we met in large numbers, 
were ragged and had nothing to eat and no blankets, but 
the weather was warm, and little bedding was needed by 
old soldiers. When we met them, as we were going into 
camp, we invited them to sleep with us, and at such times 
talked over the events of the war till far into the night. 
We always found these ex-rebels friendly and glad that 
the war was over, and the parting in the morning would 
be like leave-taking of old friends. 

"After we crossed the Roanoke we came to a section 



272 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

of country where the people had never seen a Yankee sol- 
dier, and as we approached a town white and black turned 
out to see us. Our bands always played, and we marched 
on time and made a fine display. The people seemed sur- 
prised that Sherman's army was so large, so well equipped 
and so well disciplined, as they had been led to think that 
it was a rough rabble of disorganized cut-throats." 

An of^cer writes: "All along the road through North 
Carolina and Virginia we were greeted most enthusias- 
tically by the dusky inhabitants, who at the command of 
the jolly soldiers would run forward, halt, dance, throw up 
their hats, hurrah for Sherman, lie down, roll over and 
attempt to do all these things at once in the vain efifort to 
obey a dozen contradictory orders. An old fellow with 
wooden-soled shoes, the uppers of which were of leather 
in the Robinson Crusoe style, hairy side out, came rushing 
from the woods yelling like a locomotive, 'Hurrah for the 

United ,' and then stood wool gathering, trying to 

recall the word States. Another, who had thrown himself, 
or rather his voice, away in the excitement, at the order 
to give three cheers, squawked, squeaked and squealed, 
and then whispered as if splitting his throat, 'O Massa, 
I'se done hollered so much I jist can't make no noise.' 

"At Williamsboro, a village of a half dozen houses, the 
whole region seemed to have turned out, men, women and 
pickaninnies following the musicians, capering in the most 
comical manner, performing astonishing antics whenever 
the bass drummer applied his sticks with extra force. 
'Play! play! I say!' screamed a white urchin who was so 
unfortunate as to reach the road all breathless, just as the 
music ceased. With all the dignity of the Emperor of 
Soudan an aged African quieted the young patrician with, 



RICHMOND, WASHINGTON, AND HOME 273 

'Don't you be ordern dem gemmen' 'roun, sah; now I tell 
you.' 

"One of our captains, whose courage is only equaled by 
his integrity, and his patriotism by his faith in the brother- 
hood of man, caught sight of a scarecrow, so the boys of 
his company tell it. Instantly his sympathetic soul was 
moved, and he called out, 'Hello there. Sambo, come along. 
Don't you know you're free?' " 

U. H. Farr: "We marched through Richmond, then 
through Spottsylvania Court House, and came to the 
works some quarter of a mile away. The timber was lit- 
erally riddled, the trees from the ground up being left in 
splinters, not a whole tree standing, but stumps, some 
short, some long, and these pecked full of holes by minie 
balls. As we passed along the road about a mile from the 
Court House we came to a point where General Hancock 
made an early morning attack, carrying the rebel works 
and capturing thousands of prisoners, though by a counter- 
charge the enemy regained their works. A breastwork of 
several rods had been made of Enfield and Springfield rifles 
as high as a man's head, and the ground in front of this 
line of works was thickly strewn with dead Union soldiers. 
I saw over a thousand dead as far as I went, the bodies 
rotten and the skin of the faces dried in the sun, but the 
blue cloth of the uniforms sound and the color unchanged. 
Some of the dead were sitting upright against trees, and 
others showed that they had been wounded in the legs and 
had ripped up the clothing to bandage the leg and stop the 
flow of blood, and had died in that condition. None had 
been buried in that part of the field. Out along the road 
we were marching, however, most of the dead bodies had 
a few spadesful of dirt thrown over them, but in almost 



274 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

every instance some extremity was left uncovered. I saw 
feet sticking- out of the dirt, or a hand protruding, as if 
mutely appealing for help. 

"As we passed through the battle grounds of Spottsyl- 
vania Court House and the Wilderness our part of the 
command was in front, but it was reported that night in 
the camps that General Sherman detailed men to bury the 
dead on those two fields. I heard many comments from 
our men not altogether complimentary to Grant or Meade 
for failing to bury their dead. It is true the rebels held 
both of those battlefields after the conflict had ended, and 
as Grant was endeavoring to swing his army around to 
the left and come in between the rebel army and Rich- 
mond, and as Lee was always moving to the right, the 
rebels were in possession of the field last, but Meade's 
troops must have marched to Washington over those same 
roads, and they should have buried their dead as they 
passed. We pitched our camp that night on the Chancel- 
lorsville battlefield, at about the point where the left wing 
of the Eleventh Corps was resting when it was assaulted 
by Jackson's command, — where it was crushed and igiio- 
miniously routed." 

An officer writes: "Our way led us through the Spottsyl- 
vania battle ground. Everywhere were visible the terrible 
signs of the struggle — trees mowed down by artillery, 
lowly mounds, with nothing to testify whose was the rest- 
ing place, and, sadder still, unburied remains. Bones lay 
by the roadside; and in a yard where a woman stood and 
discoursed about the struggle to inquirers, lay two skulls, 
silent evidences of her inhumanity. In a thicket nearby, 
where the appalling stillness seems never to have been 
broken except by owl, or bat, or raven, lie hundreds of 



RICHMOND, WASHINGTON, AND HOME 275 

skeletons. Some had collected as they lay wounded such 
sticks and twigs as were within their reach, and had striven 
to erect a barrier to protect them from further injury. 
Some had taken the straps from their knapsacks to bind a 
severed artery, and now the leather lying loosely about the 
bone told pathetically of the vain effort. 

"We encamped on the field of Chancellorsville. Orders 
prohibiting rail burning have been very strict, but in this 
vicinity, where contending armies have destroyed every- 
thing, they are superfluous. A former member of the 
Twenty-seventh, now of the Seventieth, amused his com- 
rades by informing them that, for old times' sake, he meant 
to boil his coffee that night by a rail fire; for, two years 
before, he had crossed a little stream by the aid of a rail. 
Sure enough the rail was found, the coffee boiled, and 
listeners gathered round the blaze to hear once more the 
oft-repeated story of Hooker's victory and defeat. 

"Some of us visited the Wilderness battle ground, and 
saw there the same sad scenes. The commingled bones of 
horse and rider, all the possessions of the soldier, from the 
envelope with its faint address in a woman's hand to the 
broken gun, lie scattered over the ground. Knapsacks, 
placed together by companies before they made a charge, 
and for which the owners never returned, remain in decay- 
ing heaps. 'Tis a gloomy sepulchre, where the trees, in 
tenderly covering with leaves the remains of the patriots, 
alone perform the last sad of^ces. The wind moans 
through the pines, tears fall at home for them, but they 
sleep on, unconscious of a weeping nation. 

"An old, gray-haired man leaned upon his hoe handle 
trying to quiet his trembling head as he said, 'Ah, sir; 
there are thousands of both sides lying unburied in the 



2/6 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

Wilderness. A fire broke out and hundreds of the helpless 
were burned to death.' " 

U. H. Farr: "Emerging from the Wildierness we 
marched by the old Chancellor house, which was some 
half mile from our place of bivouac, and showed shell 
marks and that the woodwork had been burned, leaving the 
bare walls standing. We crossed the Rappahannock a mile 
or so farther on by a pontoon bridge. The country was 
destitute of inhabitants, for no houses remained. We 
reached the vicinity of Alexandria the nineteenth of May, 
1865, and settled down for a few days' rest. 

"On the morning of the twenty-fourth we struck tents 
and marched, going by way of Alexandria around the south 
end of Arlington Heights, and crossing the long bridge to 
Washington, passed by the Capitol up Pennsylvania ave- 
nue. In the grounds facing the avenue stands had been 
put up for the reviewing officers." 

An officer writes: "Yesterday, for the last time, we 
passed in review before all the great officials of the Govern- 
ment, and the representatives of foreign nations. The 
swaying battalions marching down the avenue, the cheer- 
ing multitudes lining either side, formed a spectacle never 
to be forgotten. At last we have made the 'Grand Rounds/ 
and our work is done. Every heart was heavy, and many 
an eye was moist as we approached the reviewing stand, 
for the kindly welcoming face we had longed to see had 
vanished forever. One is tempted to feel sometimes that 
life is made up of hopes and mockeries. * * * 

"While I was looking over the recent pubHcations in a 
bookstore, to which I had hastened, for I have been so long 
without books that the touch of one thrills me, the pro- 
prietor approached me and fell into conversation, remark- 



RICHMOND, WASHINGTON, AND HOME 277 

ing after awhile, 'I suppose you officers are sorry the war's 
over, as you will now lose your job?' 'What!' I exclaimed, 
for I could scarcely believe my ears. He repeated the ob- 
servation. It was hard to keep hands off of him, but 
turning- to go I said, There may be such creatures lying 
around Washington, but I have never seen officer or pri- 
vate show anything but delight at the approach of peace, 
and you are the first man I ever heard express such a sus- 
picion, or utter such a sentiment.' 

"It's amazing, but the atmosphere of Washington can 
make a dog even of a handler of books." 

U. H. Farr: "Early on the morning of June ninth we 
boarded the freight cars on the B. & O. R. R. When we 
arrived at Grafton, West Virginia, about midnight, we 
got off for lunch, and found men under a shed nearby mak- 
ing coffee for us in large iron kettles. They had a lot of 
fat pickeled pork, boiled, and bread in loaves. After we had 
eaten we took what we wanted of the provisions in our 
haversacks. About noon next day we arrived at Parkers- 
burg, and about dusk boarded a steamboat, reaching 
Lawrenceburg just after dark, twenty-four hours later. 
When the gangplanks were thrown out we made a rush 
to see who should first set foot on Indiana soil. The citi- 
zens were in waiting to receive us, and we were divided 
up in squads of two to twelve or more, and taken in charge 
by young ladies largely, conducted to their homes, enter- 
tained in royal style, and given good suppers. We arrived 
at Indianapolis the next morning and were met by many 
friends. At the arsenal we turned over our guns to the 
United States officials, and then went to the Soldiers' 
Home for dinner. At Camp Carrington we were given 
a barrack building for each company, where we remained 



278 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

some seven days till we were paid off, got our discharges 
and reached home on the eighteenth of June, 1865." 

Headquarters First Brigade, 
Third Division, Twenty-first Army Corps, 

Near Washington, D. C, May 31, 1865. 

Captain — I herewith transmit to you the report of Col. 
Henry Case of the operations of this brigade from tenth of 
April, when the command left Goldsboro, to the nineteenth, 
same month, when I resumed command. I have also the 
honor to submit the following report of the movements of the 
brigade from April nineteenth, 1865, to the present time : 

From the nineteenth of April to the twenty-fifth the brigade 
remained in camp at Raleigh, the time being spent in refitting 
and in the ordinary routine of camp duties. On the twenty- 
fifth of April, the negotiations with the rebel leaders having 
failed, the army was again put in motion toward the enemy. 
This brigade broke camp at 7 130 A. M., and marched fifteen 
miles west of south to Jones' Cross Roads, where we encamped. 
The army having been put upon half rations before leaving 
Raleigh, foraging was again resumed, and though the country 
was poor, sufificient forage and subsistence was procured for 
the men and public animals. The command remained at the 
crossroads until the twenty-eighth of April, when it was 
again moved back to Raleigh and put in its old camp. On 
the thirtieth day of April the whole army took up the line of 
march for Richmond, Va., and Washington, D. C. Orders 
received before starting contemplated that this march was to 
be conducted with a view to the comfort of the troops, and 
suggested fifteen miles per day as the limit, unless circum- 
stances should require a longer march. Orders also required 
all foraging from the country to cease, and prohibited soldiers 
from entering private houses on any pretense. The march 
was not made as easy or comfortable to the troops as the order 
contemplated. The average march per day being above the 
limit suggested, and on some days so far exceeding it that the 
troops were very much worried and exhausted, extending on 



RICHMOND, WASHINGTON, AND HOME 279 

one or two days to twenty-three and twenty-five miles. On 
the part of the troops the orders were faithfully observed; it 
was really surprising to see an army so long accustomed to 
living ofif the country and to the irregularities necessarily re- 
sulting at once resume their habits of order and good dis- 
cipline, and is highly creditable to the army. Only one or two 
slight cases of thieving came to my knowledge during the 
whole march. 

On the ninth of May the brigade went into camp about six 
miles from Richmond, Va., where we remained until the elev- 
enth, when we again moved, passing through Manchester and 
Richmond, and went into camp about four miles from the 
latter place. The command moved through the cities in col- 
umn, with music playing and in good review order. In pass- 
ing through Manchester we were very handsomely received 
by General Devens, who had his division of the Twenty-fourth 
Army Corps paraded at open order on the left of the line of 
march and saluted each brigade as it passed. On the morning 
of the twelfth we again took up the line of march for Alex- 
andria^ Va., and renewed orders having been received to make 
the march easy, and not, except in cases of absolute necessity, 
to exceed fifteen miles per day, it was conducted with much 
greater comfort to the men on the entire route to this place. 
On the nineteenth of May we reached our camp near Alex- 
andria (Cloud's Mills), and went into camp. Preparations were 
at once begun for the grand review by the President, ordered 
for the twenty-fourth instant, and much difficulty was ex- 
perienced in getting needed supplies. The troops v^ere at last 
pretty well equipped for the review. On the twenty-fourth, 
at sunrise, the brigade broke camp, loading knapsacks and 
haversacks into the train, and marched toward Long Bridge, 
where we rested until the way was clear for crossing. Cross- 
ing the bridge the command was formed in column of com- 
panies and moved in review up Pennsylvania avenue, and 
passed the President's stand near the White House. 

The review was creditable to the troops and gave to those 
who had never seen Sherman's army a new and unexpected 



28o THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

view. They had looked for an army of "Bummers," wild, un- 
disciplined, and unskilled in the precision of military move- 
ments. They saw, instead, an army that could be "Bummers" 
par excellence when necessity required, and when that neces- 
sity was removed, could at once exhibit a subordination and 
a precision in drill and movement excelled by no other army. 

After passing in review this brigade was marched to its 
present camp, about four miles from Washington, on the 
Bladensburg road, and about one mile from the latter place. 

I have to report the loss of one officer and one enlisted man 
on the march from Richmond. On the morning of May 
eighteenth, when the brigade left its camp on the battle ground 
of Chancellorsville, Lieutenant Snyder, Adjutant One Hun- 
dred and Second Illinois Volunteers, accompanied by one 
mounted orderly, left the column by permission of Colonel 
Smith, commanding his regiment, to look over the battle 
ground and rejoin the column before crossing the Rappa- 
hannock. Since that time nothing has been heard from them^ 
and it is feared that they were killed by some guerrillas. He 
was a good officer and had rendered faithful service to his 
country. 

In making this closing report of my brigade I beg leave to 
suggest that the services of some of my regimental and staflf 
officers deserve recognition at the hands of the War Depart- 
ment, and I therefore recommend and respectfully urge upon 
the Department that the following named officers receive a bre- 
vet one grade above their present rank: First, Lieut.-Col. A. 
W. Doane, Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; second, 
Lieut.-Col. E. F. Dutton, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry; third, Lieut.-Col. Samuel Merrill, Seventieth 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry; fourth, Capt. Samuel T. Walkley, 
One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, Acting 
Assistant Inspector-General; fifth. First Lieut. Alfred H. 
Trego, One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteers, Acting 
Assistant Adjutant-General; sixth, First Lieut. George W. 
Gilcrist, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, 



RICHMOND, WASHINGTON, AND HOME 281 

Aide de camp; seventh, Maj. A. W. Reagan, surgeon, Seven- 
tieth Indiana Volunteers, Brigade Surgeon. 

BENJA. HARRISON, 
Bvt. Brig.-Gen. U. S. Vols., 
Comdg. 1st Brig., 3d Div., 20th Corps. 
Captain Crawford, 

Actg. Asst. Adjutant-General, 

Third Division, Twentieth Corps. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

AGAIN ON THE MARCH 

Twenty-three years had passed away since the events 
narrated in the last chapter. The members of the Seven- 
tieth Indiana had scattered far and wide, and were quietly 
exempHfying in their homes the virtues manifested in the 
army. Many a man bore with him as a relic of hardship 
and exposure the disease that made a useful existence all 
too brief. Esteem deepened into love among the survivors 
as the days glided by, and as comrade after comrade an- 
swered no longer to the annual roll call. Those who 
remained heard with joy that their former Colonel, Benja- 
min Harrison, had been nominated as a candidate for the 
Presidency, and such as had opportunity — three hundred 
and seventy-seven in all — signed the following tribute and 
published it to the world: 

The survivors of the Seventieth Regiment, Indiana 
Volunteers, congratulate themselves because their old com- 
mander, Gen. Benjamin Harrison, has been nominated as 
candidate for President of the United States. 

They recollect the manly characteristics manifested by 
him in the camp, and the high soldiery qualities that 
adorned his character in the field. 

They recall his untiring efforts in perfecting his men in 
military tactics; his vigilance in the midst of danger; his 
courage in battle; his quickness to see the design of the 
enemy, and his swiftness to strike and crush him. 

They recollect his care for the health, the food and the 

282 



AGAIN ON THE MARCH 283 

clothing of those who composed his command, and the 
resolute manner in which he kept the men from being im- 
posed upon by shirkers of duty or arbitrary officers. 

They remember his kindness to the sick, and his habit 
of sharing the discomforts of army life with those in the 
ranks. 

They can never forget his carrying the rifle and knap- 
sack of the exhausted soldier, and his tramping through 
the mud while a footsore comrade occupied his place in 
the saddle. 

When men have sacrificed home, have journeyed wearily 
together through intolerable heat, bitter cold or the pelt- 
ing tempest, have shared rough food and the cravings of 
hunger, have shivered with scanty covering through nights 
on damp or frozen ground, have been in constant danger 
from the bullets of the enemy and the shafts of disease, 
have experienced a daily and nightly trial of courage, have 
grieved together over the fallen, and joined at last in the 
same glorious triumph, a friendship is formed that will 
endure when partisanship and political animosities have 
sunk into oblivion. 

The fires of battle united us, and memories more pre- 
cious than life hold us as one, so that the contest of our 
old commander is ours. 

Every noble impulse emanating from comradeship 
prompts us to follow our leader, and inspires us to call 
upon veterans from our reunited country to accept a leader- 
ship that will surely guide to victory and honor. 

When the political contest had resulted successfully, and 
the time for the inauguration approached, a large number 
of the survivors of the Seventieth Indiana, on Friday after- 



284 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

noon, March first, 1889, headed by a military band, formed 
into platoons near the Court House at Indianapolis, and 
marching to the Union Station, boarded a train of Pullman 
cars bound for Washington, These cars had been char- 
tered by the members of the organization, to be occupied 
by them during their absence. 

By some mistake the train swept through Shelbyville, 
leaving eight of the comrades, who had intended to start 
from that city, standing on the platform. A telegram from 
our next stopping place induced them to take the first 
express and join us at Cincinnati. 

While the coaches were moving at that city, prepara- 
tory to starting directly eastward, a locomotive came 
crushing into the side of one of the sleepers, forcing it 
through a two-story brick building. For a moment it 
reminded one of an old-time battle; the falling bricks, rush- 
ing steam, tumbling lamps and grinding timbers, repre- 
senting in no feeble way the never-to-be forgotten horror 
of bursting shells and blinding smoke. No one seemed 
to be hurt seriously except a tramp, who happened to be 
in the building, and who groaned and howled mournfully 
from beneath a mound of bricks. When dug out he was 
as flat as a hard tack, but a few long breaths rounded him 
into shape again, and enabled him to limp off shaking his 
head, first at the mountain of bricks, then at the car, and 
lastly at the locomotive. 

The occupants of the coach, busy with the contents of 
their lunch baskets, bread and butter, cold ham and boiled 
eggs, bologna and sponge cake, for an instant forgot sup- 
per, and would have sold their chances for life very cheap; 
but a moment after, soldier-like, were mad as hornets be- 



AGAIN ON THE MARCH 285 

cause the floor was carpeted with food, and because the 
coffee just purchased was trickling down their legs instead 
of their throats. 

A few hours' detention was the result of this adventure ; 
then with a new sleeper, and our reinforcement from 
Shelbyville, we prepared our beds for the night and took 
up our journey toward the Potomac. Each car boasted 
of having the finest choir of snorers, and the rivalry was 
so great, that even those who claimed heretofore to have 
slept noiselessly, contracted the habit and joined with the 
rest in making the mountains and valleys ring with the 
music. 

There was great fun the next day in going through the 
train and seeing how many faces could be recognized, in 
talking of old times and recent times, of easy and even of 
hard times, for it was found that the army characteristic 
of laughing at misfortune had settled with many into a life- 
long habit. 

It was interesting to hear a discussion as to whether 
Sherman showed wisdom in declining the office of Presi- 
dent. All agreed that he was right in asserting that the 
Virginian Thomas was a greater general than the Virginian 
Lee; for leaving loyalty out of consideration, the former 
was always victorious in each of the States in which he 
fought, no matter who chose the battle ground, while the 
latter could not gain a victory outside of his own State or 
on any ground except that of his own choosing. Grant's 
last great battle, in which he held death at arm's length 
until he had completed the book that was to lift his family 
out of the ruin a financial crash had wrought, was spoken 
of in low tones but admiring terms. 



286 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

Personal histories were even more entertaining. A few 
when the war closed had found friends, occupations and 
success awaiting them, and their lives had been in con- 
tinuous sunshine. One said, "Everybody was busy, but 
there seemed to be no place for me; so after scuffling 
around for months trying to find something to do, I moved 
on." Another, who was a little cynical, "Yes, we were 
greeted by those who sympathized with the North as long- 
lost brothers, then forgotten, either because they were 
absorbed in their own business, or because they thought a 
soldier, of course, would vote right, and it was pretty 
tough getting along at first." Another said, "We hap- 
pened to come home to a neighborhood where those who 
had neither gone into the service nor' asked anyone else 
to go, cast sullen looks on us, and would not give employ- 
ment unless we would identify ourselves with their political 
party, so we struck out for Kansas." Another, "Yes, I'm 
in Kansas, and the people have been mighty good to me, 
for they have given me one of the best offices in the county, 
so I have all the money I want." Another, "About a quar- 
ter of the men who went from, or rather came back to our 
county, stuck to their old homes and are making a living, 
and at least are happy here." Then with a queer kind of 
a smile he added, "One of our number has been quite for- 
tunate. He was sent forward as a recruit while we were 
at Nashville. He never performed a day's work while with 
the regiment, but went into the hospital immediately, hav- 
ing contracted a loathsome disease while not in the line of 
duty, and was discharged for disability. After the • war 
he applied for and drew a pension. On further investiga- 
tion his name was dropped from the pension rolls by the 



AGAIN ON THE MARCH 287 

Department. During a presidential campaign, when pro- 
cessions were formed and veterans were marching, he 
became active in securing old soldiers for the column that 
needed them most; so a United States Senator from 
Indiana introduced a special bill, giving him for the balance 
of his days, seventy-two dollars a month, while some of his 
needy comrades, who had served to the close of the war, 
went pensionless." 

It was a couple of hours after dark on Saturday when 
we arrived at the Capital, and many of the men scattered 
through the city to see what changes had been made since 
they took part in the grand review at the close of the war. 

Monday at half-past ten the battalion marched to the 
White House, and the four companies, into which it was 
divided, were assigned to escort duty, two moving in front 
and two in rear of the presidential party. Although the 
rain fell continuously, yet Pennsylvania avenue was lined 
with cheering spectators. At the east porticO' of the Cap- 
itol, the escort halted so as to see the inauguration cere- 
monies, while the troops belonging to the regular army 
moved on. The crowd was immense, and the crush was 
almost unendurable, so that every one was glad when the 
exercises were over and the grand parade began, on the 
return to the President's mansion. Here the escort entered 
the Government grounds, and those who were not too 
uncomfortable from the six hours' tramp through the rain, 
ascended the reviewing stand and watched the passing 
thousands. 

The following afternoon the regiment, preceded by the 
Topeka band, marched through the city and was cordially 
greeted in their new home by the President and his family. 



288 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

In that delightful hour many a poor fellow felt that he 
was already in Paradise, as he wandered with freedom 
through elegant chambers and fragrant conservatories of 
tropical plants. 

All Washington had a new sensation when it was seen 
that exalted station only increased the affectionate care 
of our old leader for his old command. Before we separ- 
ated the President stood on the steps of the Executive 
Mansion in the midst of his men, while two photographers 
exercised their skill in picture making. The fact is the 
photographers were so persistent in following us around 
and taking our likenesses that it has been hard for some 
of us grizzly old veterans to keep from imagining our- 
selves just a little better looking than ordinary mortals. 

The next move was to the Treasury, where we were 
received, at his request, by General Rosecrans, our army 
commander in 1862. He must have remembered his ex- 
perience with us in cornfields and turnip patches, for he 
failed to show us the "surplus" about which there had 
been so much talk. Had he done so, we certainly would 
have solved the problem of its reduction. 

After visiting the Art Gallery, Museum, Smithsonian 
Institute, Capitol, Washington's Monument and many 
other public buildings, the Wednesday morning ten o'clock 
train bore us homeward. The singing of John Brown at 
Harper's Ferry, the snow storm as we swept through the 
mountains, the rushing streams, swollen into torrents by 
the rains, the fun and frolic of the gray-haired, wrinkled- 
faced comrades who were boys again after a quarter of a 
century's separation, have become a delightful life-long 
possession of the memory. A six days' reunion, all the 



AGAIN ON THE MARCH 289 

participants from the same regiment, whose homes are in 
almost all the States from Massachusetts to California, was 
an event never witnessed before, the exquisite pleasure of 
which cannot be described and will never be forgotten. 

The wondrous satisfaction beaming on every counte- 
nance as the men strolled about the National Capital, 
noticing the marvelous changes made by the years, sprang 
from the consciousness that they had had a part in saving 
this beautiful city from destruction, and, better still, in 
rescuing the Nation from the ruin toward which it was 
rushing. The joy of the reunion was strangely solemn. 
Gladness and sadness, laughter and grief were intermingled. 
As story after story was told, manifesting self-denial or 
heroism, came the inquiry, "Where is he now?" and the 
oft recurring response, "Gone." He who belongs to a 
Last Man Society, the members of which have helped to 
make history, cannot escape profound emotions, and ought 
to move with unaffected dignity. His thoughts deal not 
alone with the far-away past, but also with the far-away 
future. 

In concluding this narrative a selection from sentiments 
adopted at the reunion is appropriate. 

The cause of liberty and union for which we fought, as 
the cause of God and man, can never be a lost cause. 

Between right and wrong, and between the results of 
right and wrong, is a gulf wide and deep, and impassable 
as the gulf that parts Heaven and Hell. 

The bond uniting comrades in camp and field was not 
broken when the volunteer was discharged, but is and will 
ever be an indissoluble tie of sacred friendship. 



290 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

The dead are not forgotten, silent they He, but their 
voiceless lips are eloquent for right, and their orphans 
should be the beloved and honored children of the Re- 
public. 

Under the inspiration of this reunion, and of the tender 
memories of fellow-soldiers, who in their death gave the 
full measure of patriotic devotion, we consecrate ourselves 
anew to the service of our country and of humanity. 




THE FLAGS OF THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 



FROM A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN JUST AFTER THE 
CAPTURE OF SAVANNAH 



THE REGIMENTAL ROSTER. 



FIELD AND STAFF. 

BENJAMIN HARRISON. 

Colonel. Indianapolis. Date of commission, Aug. 7, 1862 ; 

date of muster, Aug. 7, 1862; brevetted Brigadier General 

Jan. 23, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment. 
JAMES BURGESS. 

Lieutenant-Colonel. Danville. Date of commission, Aug. 

9, 1862 ; date of muster, Aug. 12, 1862 ; promoted Colonel 

124th Regiment. 
SAMUEL MERRILL. 

Lieutenant-Colonel. Indianapolis. Date of commission, 

March i, 1864; date of muster, April 20, 1864; mustered 

out with regiment. 
SAMUEL C. VANCE. 

Major. Indianapolis. Date of commission, Aug. 9, 1862 ; 

date of muster, Aug. 12, 1862; resigned April 10, 1863; 

re-entered service as Colonel I32d Regiment. 
SAMUEL MERRILL. 

Major. Indianapolis. Date of commission, April 11, 1863; 

date of muster, April 25, 1863; promoted Lieutenant- 
Colonel. 
ZACHARIAH S. RAGAN. 

Major. Clayton. Date of commission, March i, 1864; date 

of muster, April 20, 1864; wounded at Newhope Church 

June 15, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 
JAMES L. MITCHELL. 

Adjutant. Indianapolis. Date of commission, July 16, 

1862; date of muster, July 16, 1862; mustered out with 

regiment. 
GEORGE W. ALLISON. 

Quartermaster. Franklin. Date of commission, July 18, 

291 



292- THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

1862; date of muster, July 18, 1862; resigned Jan. 8, 1865. 
JOHN L. KETCHAM, JR. 

Quartermaster. Indianapolis. Date of commission, Feb. 

14, 1865 ; date of muster, March 27, 1865 ; mustered out 

with regiment. 
ARCHIBALD C. ALLEN. 

Chaplain. Indianapolis. Date of commission, Aug. 12, 

1862 ; date of muster, Aug, 12, 1862 ; mustered out with 

regiment. 
AMOS W. REAGAN. 

Surgeon. Mooresville. Date of commission, Aug. 11, 

1862; date of muster, Aug. 11, 1862; mustered out with 

regiment. 
AMOS W. REAGAN. 

Assistant Surgeon. Mooresville. Date of commission, 

July 30, 1862 ; promoted Surgeon. 
WILLIAM A. WEBB. 

Assistant Surgeon. Franklin. Date of commission, Aug. 

II, 1862; date of muster, Aug. 12, 1862; resigned March 

II, 1863. 
WILLIAM R. SMITH. 

Assistant Surgeon. Indianapolis. Date of commission, 

Aug. 12, 1862; date of muster, Aug. 12, 1862; resigned 

Nov. 8, 1862. 
JOHN M. WHITE. 

Assistant Surgeon. Southport. Date of commission, Dec. 

6, 1862; date of muster, Dec. 16, 1862; died Aug. 31, 1863, 

of disease. 
LEROY H. KENNEDY. 

Assistant Surgeon. Danville. Date of commission, April 

4, 1863 ; date of muster, April 18, 1863 ; resigned Sept. 4, 

1863 ; cause, disability. 
JENKINS A. FITZGERALD. 

Assistant Surgeon. Indianapolis. Date of commission, 

Oct. 17, 1863 ; date of muster, Oct. 22, 1863 ; mustered out 

with regiment. 
HERMAN J. WATJEN. 

Assistant Surgeon. Indianapolis. Date of commission. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 293 

Jan. I, 1865 ; mustered out as Hospital Steward with 
regiment. 

REGIMENTAL NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF. 

PHILIP D. MUSGRAVE. 

Sergeant Major. Indianapolis. Date of muster, Aug. 12, 
1862 ; transferred to Company A Aug. 20, 1862. 

WILLIAM A. MARRS. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant. Martinsville. Date of muster, 
Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out with regiment. 

REUBEN D. ISAACS. 

Commissary Sergeant. Indianapolis. Date of muster, Aug. 
12, 1862; discharged Feb. 15, 1863; disability. 

HERMAN J. WATJEN. 

Hospital Steward, Indianapolis. Date of muster, Aug. 12, 
1862; commissioned Assistant Surgeon Jan. i, 1865; mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

ISAIAH LONG. 

Principal Musician. Mooresville. Date of muster, Aug. 
12, 1862; transferred to Company D Jan. i, 1863. 

JULES A. VIOUESNEY. 

Principal Musician. Danville. Date of muster, Aug. 12, 
1862; transferred to Company C May i, 1864. 



ROSTER OF COMPANIES,* 



COMPANY A. 

BENJAMIN HARRISON. 

Captain, commissioned July 22, 1862 ; promoted Colonel. 
HENRY M. SCOTT. 

First Lieutenant, commissioned July 22, 1862; Captain, 

commissioned Aug. 9, 1862; brevetted Major March 31, 

1865 ; mustered out with regiment. 

* The Author claims neither credit nor responsibility for the 
accuracy of the appended roster. 

In order to have the list of names and statements as correct as 
possible, each roll has been prepared by a member of the company. 



294 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

MARTIN L. OHR. 

First Lieutenant, commissioned Aug. 9, 1862 ; mustered out 

Nov. 4, 1864. 
BETHUEL CLARK. 

First Lieutenant, commissioned March 29, 1864; July I, 

1864; from 27th Regiment; mustered out with regiment. 
JAMES A. WALLACE. 

Second Lieutenant, commissioned July 22, 1862; Aug. 

10, 1862 ; mustered out March 22, 1864; promoted Quarter- 
master loth Cavalry. 
JOHN W. KILGOUER. 

Second Lieutenant, commissioned Jan. 17, 1865; Feb. 

10, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment. 
JOHN W. KILGOUER. 

First Sergeant July 15, 1862; Second Lieutenant Jan. 17, 

1865; Feb. 10, 1865, mustered out with regiment. 
JOHN JUDGE. 

Sergeant July 16, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as First 

Sergeant. 

GEORGE M. Mcknight. 

Sergeant July 17, 1862; discharged Dec. 6, 1864; disability. 

ANDREW A. BUCHANAN. 

Sergeant July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

ALONZO P. BABBITT. 

Sergeant July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

WILLIAM R. SMITH. 

Corporal July 14, 1862 ; promoted Assistant Surgeon Aug. 
12, 1862. 

ROBERT A. TAYLOR. 

Corporal July 18, 1862; discharged May 20, 1863; dis- 
ability. 

GEORGE W. LUCKY. 

Corporal July 15, 1862; discharged Nov. 9, 1862; disability. 

HERMAN F. ROPKEY. 

Jorporal July 19, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Ser- 
geant. 

GEORGE W. CLARK. 

Corporal July 17, 1862; deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 295 

HENRY WESLING. 

Corporal July 19, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Ser- 
geant. 

GEORGE W. COOK. 

Corporal July 19, 1862; discharged April 10, 1865; wounds. 

SIMON SNYDER. 

Corporal July 14, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

SAMUEL H. LAUBACK. 

Musician July 16, 1862; killed at Resaca May 15, 1864. 

HERMAN J. WATJEN. 

Musician Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Hos- 
pital Steward. 

JACKSON SUMMERS. 

Wagoner Aug. 5, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

PRIVATES. 

ELIJAH P. ACKER. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ISAAC BAKER. 

July 17, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, 
HENRY BAKER. 

July 17, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ANTON BEUKA. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE W. BURRIS. 

July 19, 1862; discharged Dec. 6, 1864; wounds. 
DANIEL F. BURNS. 

July 22, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JOHN L. BROWN. 

July 21, 1862 ; discharged March 3, 1865 ; wounds. 
JEROME A. BABBITT. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
ISAAC J. BALES. 

July 23, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY CRUSE. 

Aug. 4, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



296 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

FRANCIS CECIL. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CLARK CONVERSE. 

July 14, 1862; died Aug. 18, 1864; wounds. 
LEMUEL L. CARTER. 

July 15, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
WILLIAM W. CAIN. 

July 17, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN CUSTER. 

July 18, 1862 ; died at Vining's Station, Ga., Aug. 16, 1864. 
ALFRED CHANDLER. 

July 21, 1862 ; transferred to Engineer Corps July 31, 1864. 
JOSIAH S. CLARK. 

July 21, 1862; discharged Jan. 20, 1863; disability. 
EDWARD COX. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ALLEN CAYLOR. 

Aug. II, 1862; discharged Jan. 2^, 1863; disability. 
ANDREW DUNWAY. 

July 17, 1862 ; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
PERRY A. DEMANGET. 

July 19, 1862; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
WILLIAM DOUGLASS. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out May 10, 1865. 
JOHN ENGLAND. 

July 19, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 20, 1863 ; disability. 
EDMOND P. ERVIN. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILKERSON FARLEY. 

July 25, 1862; discharged Dec. 13, 1862; disability. 
JAMES FURGIS. 

July 15, 1862; discharged Jan. 20, 1865; wounds. 
NATHANIEL FOLLETT. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
RODNEY R. GIBBONS. 

Aug. II, 1862 ; discharged Dec. 6, 1864; wounds. 
SAMUEL B. GARDNER. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 297 

FRANK HALL. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOSEPH F. HARBERT. 

July 17, 1862; died at Nashville, Tenn., May 17, 1864. 
JOHN W. HACKLEMAN. 

July 19, 1862 ; transferred to Engineer Corps July 31, 1864. 
NOBLE HUNTINGTON. 

July 19, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Sergeant 
JOHN HARRISON. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM HOBBS. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HOWARD HUDNUT. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; killed at Russellville, Ky., Sept. 30, 1862. 
OLIVER L. JONES. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN R. JENKINS. 

July 15, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
DALA D. KRATZER. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; deserted Aug. 10, 1862. 
PHILIP A. LORRY. 

July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN LAW. 

July 17, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ALEXANDER MOORE. 

July 22, 1862 ; died at Resaca, Ga., June 5, 1864; wounds. 
MOSES MUSGRAVE. 

July 21, 1862; discharged April 23, 1863; disability. 
PHILIP D. MUSGRAVE. 

July 15, 1862; promoted Surgeon U. S. Colored Troops 

Oct. 30, 1863. 
HENRY MAY. 

July 19, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
OLIVER MARSHALL. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; discharged April 7, 1863 ; disability. 
WILLIAM MUSTON. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



298 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

WILLIAM Mcelroy. 

July 21, 1862 ; transferred to V. R. C. Jan. 10, 1865. 
JOSEPH F. McFARLAND. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOSEPH S. McCLAREND. 

July 23, 1862; deserted Oct. 7, 1862. 
SAMUEL L. NULL. 

July 18, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
LEBBENS T. NOSSAMAN. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE W. ORR. 

July 15, 1862; promoted Lieutenant U. S. Colored Troops 

March 2, 1864. 
ANDREW A. PECK. 

July 15, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
SANDFORD PEDIGO. 

July 17, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
FRANCIS PURSEL. 

July 21, 1862; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., June 25, 1864; 

wounds. 
CHARLES PURSEL. 

July 19, 1862 ; died at Louisville, Ky., June 30, 1864. 
WILLIAM PURCELL. 

July 21, 1862; discharged Nov. 8, 1862; disability. 
ROBERT H. PATTERSON. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; discharged March 13, 1863 ; disability. 
THOMAS P. RICHARDSON. 

July 15, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
FREDERICK RODEBECK. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
DUDLEY ROBERTS. 

July 21, 1862 ; discharged May 29, 1863 ; disability. 
NATHANIEL T. ROYER. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM H. SMITH. 

July 21, 1862; died at Gallatin, Term., Dec. 26, 1862. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 299 

JOHN H. SEIVER. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Sergeant 

Major. 
JAMES SHANK. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Sept. 4, 1862. 
WILLIAM H. H. SHANK. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JONATHAN P. SUNDERLAND. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
DANIEL SPIEGEL. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
DAVID P. THOMAS. 

July 19, 1862; died at Gallatin, Tenn., April 23, 1863. 
GARDNER P. THORNTON. 

July 21, 1862; promoted Lieutenant U. S. Colored Troops 

Dec. 31, 1863. 
ALEXANDER THUER. 

July 21, 1862 ; discharged June 22, 1864. 
GEORGE W. WELLS. 

July 15, 1862 ; died at Gallatin, Tenn., March 2, 1863. 
JOHN WILLIAMS. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY WIESE. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES NELSON WILSON. 

July 19, 1862; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
ELBRIDGE C. WATSON. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE C. WALLACE. 

July 21, 1862; discharged Dec. 30, 1864, by order War 

Department; promoted Sergeant Major. 
WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; discharged Dec. 30, 1862 ; disability. 
WESLEY WILLIAMSON. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ASA WILLIAMSON. 

July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



300 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

SIMEON T. YANCEY. 

July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

RECRUITS. 

ROBERT BARNHILL. 

March 8, 1862; mustered out April 6, 1865. 
ISAAC BROWN. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM J. BLUE. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ELISHA BAILEY. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES BAKER. 

Dec. 15, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
DAVID BYERLY. 

Jan. 6, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM S. BROWN. 

March 15, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ANDREW J. CHASE. 

Dec. 12, 1863; discharged Oct. 21, 1864; disability. 
JOHN H. CAYWOOD. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ROBERT W. COFFEE. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN T. COFFEE. 

March 27, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
MARSHALL GARDNER. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
EMERY HOWELL. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
NOAH P. HILLMAN. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
PETER D. JACOBS. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES J. LANE. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 301 

DANIEL M. LARIMORE. 

March 31, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE PATE. 

March 5, 1862; mustered out April 6, 1865. 
GEORGE PROSSER. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
AZRA M. ROBERTS. 

Jan. 4, 1864; discharged March 18, 1865; wounds. 
ZACHARIAH RUDE. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
MELVIN SANDBURN. 

March 19, 1862 ; mustered out April 6, 1865. 
ADAM SNAPP. 

April 2, 1862 ; mustered out April 6, 1865. 
JOHN M. STEWARD. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
SIMON A. STRODER. 

Jan. 6, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN H. THOMPSON. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES WOODS. 

March 15, 1862; mustered out April 6, 1865. 
WILLIAM WEAKLEY. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ANDREW J. WEAKLEY. 

March 27, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 

COMPANY B. 

THOMAS A. McFARLAND. 

Captain Aug. i, 1862; resigned Aug. 31, 1862. 
DAVID F. SLEETH. 

First Lieutenant Aug. i, 1862; Captain Sept. i, 1862; 

resigned 1864. 
EDWARD L. DAVIDSON. 

Second Lieutenant July 15, 1862; First Lieutenant Sept. i, 

1862 ; resigned Jan. 3, 1863. 



302 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

JOHN C. NEWTON. 

First Sergeant July 19, 1862; Second Lieutenant Sept. i, 
1862; First Lieutenant Jan. 4, 1863; Captain 1864; mus- 
tered out June 8, 1865. 

SAMUEL B. ROBERTSON. 

Sergeant July 15, 1862; First Sergeant Sept. i, 1862; Sec- 
ond Lieutenant Jan. 4, 1863 ; resigned August, 1864. 

WELTON M. WHITCOMB. 

Sergeant Aug. i, 1862; Second Sergeant Sept. i, 1862; 
First Sergeant Feb. 28, 1863 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

JOHN S. MOORE. 

Sergeant Aug. i, 1862; Commissary Sergeant Feb. 13, 
1863 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

JAMES C. BENNETT. 

Sergeant July 23, 1862; Third Sergeant Feb. 21, 1863; 
First Sergeant Sept. i, 1864; Second Lieutenant Jan. 17, 
1865 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

RICHARD H. THRALLS. 

Corporal July 16, 1862; Fifth Sergeant Sept. i, 1862; mus- 
tered out June 8, 1865. 

HEZEKIAH MITCHELL. 

Corporal July 16, 1862 ; discharged April 6, 1863 ; disability. 

ELIJAH A. POWELL. 

Corporal July 17, 1862; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., May 
24, 1864. 

ELIAS P. SMITH. 

Corporal July 17, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

JAMES A. STAFFORD. 

Corporal July 17, 1862; Sergeant Feb. 21, 1863; First Ser- 
geant 1864; Second Lieutenant 1864; First Lieutenant 
1865 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

JAMES T. SPENCER. 

Corporal July 17, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as 
Private. 

AMOS T. PHARES. 

Corporal July 26, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 16, 1864; disability. 

ACHILLES RODGERS. 

Corporal July 24, 1862 ; died July, 1864 ; wounds. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 303 

WILLIAM H. DEEM. 

Musician July 20, 1862; reduced to ranks Aug. 26, 1862; 
deserted Jan. 21, 1863. 

DAVID L. DELOE. 

Musician July 20, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

JAMES R. SMITH. 

Wagoner July 17, 1862; discharged Nov. 29, 1862; dis- 
ability. 

PRIVATES. 

GEORGE W. ADAMS. 

Aug. 4, 1862; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Sept. 30, 1863. 
CHARLES E. ADAMS. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN H. ADAMS. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; died at Lavergne, Tenn., June 20, 1863. 
THOMAS ANDERSON. 

Aug. 4, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
TERRELL ANDERSON. 

July 17, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ROBERT ANGLETON. 

July 17, 1862; Corporal Sept. i, 1862; mustered out June 

8, 1865, as Sergeant. 
HENRY AYDELOTT. 

July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOSEPH W. AYDELOTT. 

July 22, 1862 ; died at Scottsville, Ky., Nov. 27, 1862. 
ABRAHAM BELLER. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; deserted Oct. 2, 1862. 
WILLIAM BAKER. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOSEPH F. COWDEN. 

July 17, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
EPHRAIM COLLINS. 

July 17, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN T. COLLINS. 

July 17, 1862; transferred to V. R. C. April 6, 1864. 



304 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

JAMES L. COLLINS. 

July i8, 1862 ; transferred to Engineer Corps Aug. 15, 1864. 
FRANKLIN COLLINS. 

Aug. 5, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
WILLIAM CONNER. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 27, 1863 ; disability. 
HUMPHREY EOFF. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; transferred to V. R. C. 
GEORGE W. EVANS. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY FARLEY. 

July 18, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM H. GUISE. 

July 29, 1862 ; killed by accident July 26, 1864, Atlanta, Ga. 
ZACHEUS GORDON. 

July 16, 1862; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 27, 1862. 
JOHN W. GIBBONS. 

July 29, 1862; died at Scottsville, Ky., Dec. 2, 1862. 
DAVID P. GILL. 

Aug. I, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
SIMPSON GOSSETT. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THORNHILL H. GWYNNE. 

Aug. 2, 1862; discharged July 29, 1863; disability. 
LINDSEY GERMAN. 

Aug. I, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
NATHAN HALL. 

Aug. I, 1862; discharged Jan. 21, 1863; disability. 
JAMES HALL. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE W. HULSOPPLE. 

July 19, 1862; discharged March 21, 1863; disability. 
ALEXANDER S. HAWKINS. 

Aug. 4, 1862; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. . 
JOEL H. KEELING. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
DAVID C. LINDVILLE. 

Aug. 6, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 305 

CHARLES M. LAZAR. 

July 16, 1862; died at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 19, 1863. 
LEROY LEGGETT. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; promoted to Corporal ; mustered out June 8, 
1865, as Sergeant. 
JOHN W. MILLER. 

July 16, 1862 ; died at Saundersville, Tenn., Feb. 7, 1863. 
WILLIAM A. MILLER. 

Aug. I, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES S. MILLER. 

July 24, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS B. MILLER. 

July 24, 1862; died at home Aug. 11, 1862. 
ROBERT H. MILLER. 

Aug. I, 1862; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., July 22, 1864; 

wounds. 
WILLIAM S. MITCHELL. 

July 19, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
DODRIDGE MITCHELL. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
SYLVESTER McGINITY. 

July 16, 1862 ; transferred to Engineer Corps Aug. 24, 1864. 
ABRAHAM McMULLEN. 

July 24, 1862 ; died at Saundersville, Tenn., Feb. 22, 1863. 
THOMAS McCONNELL. 

July 25, 1862; Corporal Sept. i, 1862; discharged Jan. 26, 

1863 ; disability. 
JAMES H. McFALL. 

July 28, 1862 ; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 7, 1862. 
CHARLES L. MARIETTA. 

July 16, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM MORGAN. 

July 17, 1862; discharged Dec. 13, 1862; disability. 
JOHN R. MAHOLM. 

Aug. 4, 1862; discharged Jan. 15, 1863. 
GEORGE H. MAHOLM. 

Aug. 9, 1862 ; killed on railroad Nov. 6, 1864. 



3o6 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

NOAH O. MOORE. 

Aug. 4, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN H. NEWTON. 

July 17, 1862; died near Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 12, 1864; 

wounds. 
WILLIAM C. PHARES. 

July 26, 1862; Musician Aug. 26, 1862; mustered out June 

8, 1865. 
GEORGE A. PRICE. 

Aug. 4, 1862; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 29, 1864; 

wounds. 
HENRY C. PHILLIPS. 

Aug. 12, 1862; discharged May 6, 1863; disability. 
JOSEPH A. REED. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
DAVID S. RIGDON. 

Aug. I, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY RAPP. 

Aug. 4, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN SMITH. 

July 24, 1862; deserted Dec. 2, 1863. 
ELIJAH S. SMITH. 

July 26, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CARRY H. SMITH. 

Aug. I, 1862; Corporal Feb. 21, 1863; mustered out June 

8, 1865. 
DANIEL STEWART. 

July 31, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM STORY. 

July 20, 1862 ; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Oct. 30, 1863. 
ANDREW I. STORY. 

July 20, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
DAVID S. SCOFIELD. 

July 24, 1862; died at Scottsville, Ky., Dec. 17, 1862. 
WILLIAM H. STRADER. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; transferred to Engineer Corps Aug. 15, 1864. 
TYRE STAFFORD. 

Aug. 4, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 307 

ARCHIBALD SOSBY. 

July 26, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
MARSHALL STODDARD. 

July 26, 1862 ; died at Scottsville, Ky., Nov. 19, 1862. 
ADELMAN SMITH. 

July 19, 1862; died at Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 7, 1862. 
ROBERT TONER. 

Aug. I, 1862; died at Gallatin, Tenn., March 17, 1863. 
CORNELIUS TUCKER. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
FERDINAND TREON. 

Aug. I, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
VALISON C THOMAS. 

Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS F. THOMPSON. 

Aug. I, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JEREMIAH WHEELER. 

July 19, 1862; died at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. 23, 1862. 
JOHN J. WALTON. 

July 18, 1862; died at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. 15, 1862. 
MAJOR WOOD. 

July 25, 1862; died at Saundersville, Tenn., Feb. 21, 1863. 
WASHINGTON WOLTON. 

Aug. I, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN WAGONER. 

July 20, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
AMOS T. WILLIS. 

July 20, 1862 ; deserted Nov. 7, 1862. 

RECRUITS. 

FRANCIS M. ANGLETON. 

Dec. 25, 1863; died May 28, 1864, of wound received at 

Resaca, Ga. 
JAMES AULTE. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Jan. 2, 1865. 
SYLVESTER ADAMS. 

Dec. 31, 1863; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 



308 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

JOHN F. ALBRIGHT. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
AARON ALLEN. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM H. BEESON. 

Jan. 25, 1864; died at Cassville, Ga., June, 1864; wound. 
WILLIAM A. BARNES. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ABNER D. CROSS. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; discharged Dec. 20, 1864. 
JAMES CLARK. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; died at Lookout Mountain Feb. 2, 1865. 
CYRUS CAYLER. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
HENSON L. CLARK. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
EDWARD DILL. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
EDMOND H. DUNN. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM A. DWYER. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ENOS DAVISSON. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN DAVISSON. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES DINN. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
PHILIP P. EMRICK. 

Dec. 31, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN H. ELLETT. 

Mustered out April 6, 1865. 
CHARLES W. FRANK. 

Dec. 31, 1863; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864. 
ROBERT T. FOSTER. 

Jan. 24, 1864; First Sergeant Jan. i, 1865; transferred to 

33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 309 

WILLIAM FRY. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
LOUIS GOODRICH. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; killed at Peach Tree Creek, Ga., July 20, 

1864. 
WILLIAM HENDRICKS. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE W. HALL. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN D. HINCHE. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM R. JOHNSON. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM LENOX. 

Dec. 2T,, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM J. LEE. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
MONTRAVILLE MAHAN. 

Dec. 23, 1863; transferred to V. R. C. Jan. 10, 1865. 
DANIEL MELOY. 

Dec. 31, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES McKINNEY. 

Dec. 31, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE W. McGAFFACK. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
CHARLES F. PLYMATE. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
SHELBY PRICE. 

Dec. 31, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN PEAK. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
SAMUEL POWELL. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; discharged Oct. 5, 1864; disability. 
FRANKLIN RICHIE. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
GRANVILLE RICHIE. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 



3IO THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

FREDERICK W. STAFFORD. 

Jan. 6, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
NATHAN STAFFORD. 

Dec. 23, 1863; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
SHELBY SEXSON. 

Dec. 31, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JESSE STUBBS. 

Dec. 23, 1863 ; died at Jefifersonville, Ind., Sept. 4, 1864. 
JOHN B. VANCLEFF. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM WORDAN. 

Dec. 31, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN YOUNG. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 

COMPANY C. 
Z. S. RAGAN. 

Captain Aug. 5, 1862 ; promoted to Major. 
W. C. MITCHELL. 

First Lieutenant Aug. 5, 1862; promoted to Captain. 
JEPTHA BANTA. 

Second Lieutenant Aug. 5, 1862; died April 11, 1863. 
JAMES M. ROGERS. 

First Sergeant July 24, 1862; promoted to Jr^irst Lieutenant. 
JAMES I. WILLS. 

Sergeant July 19, 1862; promoted to Second Lieutenant. 
FRANKLIN J. BURCHAM. 

Sergeant July 14, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
FRANK H. HURON. 

Sergeant July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as First 

Sergeant and Color Bearer. 
DAVID N. HOPWOOD. 

Sergeant July 17, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
MICHAEL J. DUFFEY. 

Corporal July 17, 1862; killed near Atlanta, Ga., July 24, 

1864. 
JOHN M. COOK. 

Corporal Aug. 4, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 3II 

FRANK C. FERGUSON. 

Corporal July 14, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
BENJAMIN F. BOLEN. 

Corporal July 17, 1862; discharged Nov. 12, 1864, on 

account of wounds received at Resaca, Ga. 
SAMUEL R. RICHARDSON. 

Corporal July 26, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS M. NEWBY. 

Corporal July 25, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
SYLVESTER S. WILLS. 

Corporal July 25, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES D. COMPTON. 

Corporal July 16, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

PRIVATES. 

JAMES ADAMS. 

July 19, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ALEXANDER ARCHER. 

Aug. 4, 1862; discharged Oct. 8, 1863; disability. 
JOHN F. ASHER. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; transferred to V. R. C. Jan. 10, 1865. 
JESSE C. BARKER. 

Aug. I, 1862; discharged March 22, 1863; disability. 
CHARLES H. BEDFORD. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ADAM BLUNK. 

July 14, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 20, 1863 ; disability. 
GEORGE BREWER. 

July 30, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
MILES BRAY. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 28, 1863 ; disability. 
LOT T. BRAY. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JACOB J. BRINGLE. 

July 23, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
MARTIN L. BROWN. 

July 21, 1862; died at Gallatin, Tenn., April 11, 1863. 



312 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

SMITH G. BURCHAM. 

July 28, 1862 ; died at Scottsville, Ky., Nov. 19, 1862. 
JAMES BUCHANAN. 

July 25, 1862; discharged Dec. 8, 1862; disability. 
ALFRED W. CARTER. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JESSE B. CARTER. 

Aug. 5, 1862; died at Saundersville, Tenn., Feb. 6, 1863. 
SAMUEL W. CAREY. 

Aug. II, 1862; discharged Dec. 3, 1862; disability. 
MOSES L. CRAWFORD. 

July 28, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Headquarter 

Teamster. 
HENRY H. CRAWFORD. 

July 24, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CLARKSON DOAN. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 27, 1863, on account of 

wounds. 
RISDON C. DINWIDDIE. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY DUNCAN. 

Aug. 8, 1862 ; discharged Dec. 9, 1862 ; disability. 
HEZEKIAH DUFFEY. 

Aug. 10, 1862; discharged March 17, 1863; disability. 
ROBERT G. ELLIS. 

Aug. II, 1862; transferred to V. R. C. April 30, 1864. 
WILLIAM FAULKNER. 

July 25, 1862; discharged Dec. 4, 1862; disability. 
REUBEN C. FRANKLIN. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
LEWIS C. FRANKLIN. 

July 25, 1862 ; died at Gallatin, Tenn., Feb. 24, 1863. 
ALFRED R. GLOVER. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM P. GUYNN. 

July 14, 1862 ; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
RICHARD F. HARPER. 

Aug. 8, 1862; discharged Oct. 31, 1862; disability. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 313 

LOT HADLEY. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
TILGHMAN S. HARLIN. 

July 24, 1862 ; died July 23, 1864, from wounds received at 

Peach Tree Creek. 
THOMAS HANNAH. 

July 28, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN HAMMOND. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Sergeant. 
SPENCER HIATT. 

July 28, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HUGH HIGGINS. 

July 24, 1862; deserted Aug. 13, 1862. 
JOHN D. HOPKINS. 

Aug. 2, 1862; deserted Nov. 18, 1862. 
DANIEL IRICK. 

Aug. II, 1862; transferred to V. R. C. July 20, 1864. 
WILLIAM IRICK. 

Aug. II, 1862; discharged April 15, 1863; disability. 
REUBEN R. ISAACS. 

Aug. 9, 1862; discharged Feb. 15, 1863; disability; Com- 
missary Sergeant. 
WILLIAM JACKSON. 

Aug. II, 1862; died at Scottsville, Ky., Nov. 24, 1862. 
HARDIN JACKSON. 

Aug. II, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
SILAS KENDALL. 

Aug. 8, 1862; discharged Jan. 22, 1863; disability. 
HENRY KERSCH. 

July 28, 1862 ; killed near Golgotha, Ga., June 16, 1864. 
THOMAS B. KINNAN. 

Aug. 8, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 29, 1863 ; disability. 
JOHN W. KNIGHTON. 

July 22, 1862; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
JOSHUA LEACH. 

Aug. 12, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



314 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

JOB LEDBETTER. 

July i8, 1862; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
PETER O. LOOKEBILL. 

July 15, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES R. MARTIN. 

July 15, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM H. MARTIN. 

July 28, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES H. MATTHEWS. 

July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN N. MATTHEWS. 

July 22, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 27, 1863 ; disability. 
JOHN W. MEDSKER. 

July 28, 1862 ; deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 
GEORGE W. MILLER. 

July 25, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ROBERT F. NEWBY. 

July 25, 1862; discharged Dec. 14, 1862; disability. 
WILLIAM C. NEWBY. 

Dec. 22, 1863 ; died at Nashville, Tenn., June 8, 1864. 
JAMES H. OSBORN. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
NICHOLAS OSBORN. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
MONTERVILLE PARSONS. 

July 18, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY PHIPPS. 

July 25, 1862 ; discharged July 29, 1863 ; accidental wounds. 
ALBERT H. PITTS. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; died at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1862. 
GEORGE W. POTTS. 

Aug. 6, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES PRATT. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN PURKYPILE. 

Aug. II, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN H. REITZEL. 

July 25, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 315 

ADAM REITZEL. 

July 28, 1862; discharged May 13, 1863; wounds. 
JEREMIAH RICHARDSON. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; discharged Nov. 29, 1862 ; disability. 
JOHN A. ROBERTS. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES S. ROBERTS. 

Aug. II, 1862; discharged Feb. 22, 1863; disability. 
ROBERT E. RAGAN. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM SHARPE. 

July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
YOUNG W. SHORT. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM B. SHORT. 

Aug. II, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
STEPHEN SCOTT. 

July 28, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN H. G. SHACKLEFORD 

July 17, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ZIMRI TANZY. 

July 28, 1862; discharged Oct. 31, 1862; disability. 
JAMES A. THOMPSON. 

July 28, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES A. TUMEY. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JULES VIQUESNEY. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
SAMUEL WADDLE. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES M. WILLS. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
NATHAN C. WILLIAMS. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN W. WOOD. 

July 26, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



3l6 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

FREDERICK ZOLLER. 

Aug. 3, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

VETERANS OF THE 27TH INDIANA, AND RE- 
CRUITS. 

WILLIAM ARFORD. 

July 15, 1862; mustered out April 8, 1865. 
THOMAS ANDERSON. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana. 
ENOCH M. BREWSTER. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana. 
HARVEY N. CARROLL. 

July 15, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CHARLES COMBS. 

March 12, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE M. CRITCHLOW. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
WM. A. CALLAHAN. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM COX. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
JONAS DAVIS. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
JAS. P. P. DENTON. 

Jan. 24, 1864; discharged Jan. 10, 1865; disability. 
RUSSELL DAVIS. 

July 15, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN DEARMAN. 

March 10, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
LEVI F. FAITH. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM N. FLINN. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
HENRY GHRAMM. 

July 15, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE W. GORR. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 317 

JOHN E. HAYES. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
JAMES F. HERENDEN. 

March 31, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
ANDREW KELLER. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
MICHAEL M. KELLER. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
JOSEPH D. LAUGHLIN. 

Aug. 8, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HARRISON LEE. 

Jan. 24, 1864; discharged April 14, 1865; disability. 
JOHN MURRATTA. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
PETER RAGLE. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
SANFORD H. SHIVELY. 

Aug. 14, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 10, 1865 ; disability. 
ELIJAH WILKINSON. 

Sept. 12, 1861 ; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
ANDREW J. WILLIAMS. 

Sept. 12, 1861; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM W. WARNER. 

Sept. 12, 1861 ; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
DANIEL B. WATTS. 

March 26, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
SAMUEL J. WALN. 

Sept. 12, 1861; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 

COMPANY D. 

BARCLAY R. JOHNSON. 

Captain, Aug. 2, 1862 ; resigned April 20, 1863. 
WM. E. TANSEY. 

First Lieutenant; promoted Captain April 20, 1863; 

wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
SAMUEL K. HARRYMAN. 

Second Lieutenant; promoted First Lieutenant April 20, 

1863. 



3l8 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

WILLIAM M'CRACKEN. 

Promoted to Sergeant; Orderly Sergeant; Second Lieu- 
tenant April 21, 1863. 
EZRA OLLEMAN. 

First Sergeant ; discharged Jan. 23, 1863. 
DANIEL DEAL. 

First Duty Sergeant; wounded May 15, 1864, at Resaca. 
THOMAS D. HUBBARD. 

Sergeant ; wounded June 15, 1864, at New Hope Church. 
CALVIN JOHNSON. 

Sergeant; died March 9, 1863, at Gallatin, Tenn. 
MOSES B. PIKE. 

Sergeant. 
JAMES C. HENDRICKS. 

Transferred to Drummer Boy. 
BENJAMIN F. BALLARD. 

Corporal ; died March 13, 1863, at Gallatin, Ga. 
CORNELUS HILL. 

Corporal. 
JOHN PIKE. 

Corporal. 
HENRY C. EATON. 

Corporal. 
JESSE F. SNOW. 

Corporal. 
MILTON CARTER. 

Corporal ; promoted Sergeant ; discharged Jan. 20, 1864. 
JOHN T. HUBBARD. 

Corporal ; promoted Sergeant. 
ISAIAH LONG. 

Musician. 
THOMAS R. HORNADAY. 

Musician ; promoted to ranks by request. 
OTTO RENCH. 

Teamster. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 319 

PRIVATES. 

JOHN ADAMS. 

Discharged November 6, 1863. 
NEWTON ALLEN. 
ENOS ALLEN. 
JAMES M. BROWN. 
JESSE BREWER. 
SAMUEL BALLENTINE. 

Died June 22, 1864, Nashville, Tenn. 
DAVID M. BRAY. 
JACOB M. BRAY. 
JOHN M. CALLAHAN. 
WILLIAM S. CANNATSEY. 
NEVIOUS B. CHAMNESS. 

Wounded, Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
THOMAS C. CLAPP. 
GRANVIL COSTIN. 
MATHIAS A. COSTIN. 

Promoted to Corporal ; promoted to Sergeant. 
GEORGE W. CRAYTON. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga. 
HENRY W. COSTIN. 

Died Feb. 22, 1863, at Gallatin, Tenn. 
WILLIAM H. COSTIN. 
GEORGE COPELAND. 
IRA R. CRAVEN. 

Promoted Corporal. 
THOMAS J. DOAN. 

Discharged Dec. 10, 1863. 
WILLIAM P. EASTER. 
JOSEPH A. EASTER. 

Wounded May 15, 1864, at Resaca, Ga. 
GEORGE W. EASTER. 

Discharged Feb. 5, 1863. 
ELI ELLMORE. • 

Discharged Dec. 6, 1863. 
WILLIAM J. EDWARDS. 



320 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

JESSE ELLMORE. 
DAVID FANSLER. 
PETER FARMER. 

Wounded May 15, 1864, at Resaca, and discharged. 
JACOB FARMER. 

Wounded May 14, 1864, at Resaca; died June 9, 1864. 
DAVID FUGATE. 

Wounded May 15, 1864, at Resaca; died May 16, 1864. 
URIAH H. FARR. 
VARDAMAN FLETCHER. 

Wounded May 15, 1864, at Resaca. 
JOSEPH GREGORY. 

Transferred Pioneer Corps. 
ALONZO B. GREESON. 

Wounded May 15, 1864; died May 2^, 1864. 
ALFRED GREESON. 

Discharged July 27, 1864. 
GEORGE W. HARPER. 
JOHN V. HOWELL. 
ISAAC A. JOHNSON. 
JAMES JULIAN. 

Discharged May 6, 1863. 
ANDREW JORDAN. 

Died March 21, 1863. 
ROBERT JOHNSON. 

Wounded July 20, 1864; discharged 1864. 
ISAAC KERSEY. 

Discharged Nov. 21, 1862. 
MATTHEW KIRKENDOLL. 
WILLIAM A. LAKE. 
JOHN E. LAKE. 

Promoted Corporal. 
WILLIAM C. LAKE. 
ALONZO LEWALLEN. 

Discharged March 3, 1863. 
DANIEL LOCKWOOD. 

Died June 24, 1864. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 32 1 

FRANCIS M. LEACH. 

Deserted Nov. 9, 1862. 
JAMES LANE. 
MARTIN MASON. 
SYLVESTER MOON. 

Discharged June 24, 1863. 
MILO H. MOON. 

Promoted Corporal. 
ELI S. MYRICK. 

Discharged March 3, 1863. 
WILLIAM R. M'CLELLAN. 
JAMES M'CRAKEN. 

Promoted to Corporal; wounded May 15, 1864. 
LEONIDAS OBENSHAIN. 

Promoted to Corporal ; promoted to Sergeant. 
WILLIAM C. RHEA. 
MERIDETH RUSH. 

Discharged Jan. 24, 1863. 
JOSEPH W. REAGAN. 
ABSALOM ROSS. 
WILLIAM J. ROLAND. 
ELIAS M. RUSHTON. 
JAMES SIMPSON. 
WILLIAM A. SPOON. 
JAMES SPOON. 
JAMES SMITH. 
GEORGE W. THORNTON. 
DANIEL TANSEY. 

Discharged Feb. 11, 1863. 
GEORGE W. THOMPSON. 
PETER VOGUS. 
RUFUS H. WARD. 

Promoted Corporal. 
JOHN A. WARD. 

Promoted Corporal. 
WILLIAM W. WILHITE. 

Wounded May 14, 1864, at Resaca, 



322 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

BARTON WILSON. 

Discharged Feb. 28, 1863. 
LEVI WILLIAMS. 

Discharged May 23, 1865. 
PETER WHITE. 

Died Jan. 21, 1863, at Bowling Green, Ky. 
CALVIN WARD. 

Wounded May 15, 1864; died May 23, 1864. 
JOHN WILSON. 
JAMES R. WIDDOWS. 

Wounded May 14, 1864. 

RECRUITS. 

GREGORY ALLEN. 
JOHN S. ALBRIGHT. 
WILLIAM E. CRAVEN. 
LEANDER DEWEESE. 
ELZA DEWEESE. 
WILLIAM T. DONE. 
GEORGE FREET. 
CLARK GRAVE. 
ALVIN S. GRAVE. 

Wounded Mav 15, 1864, at Resaca. 
OWEN C. HANCOCK. 
MILO E. HARVEY. 
THOMAS N. HINSON. 
SAMUEL INGLE. 
LEVI LANE. 
ELIAS E. LANE. 
JAMES M'CALL. 
ELI PRAY. 
JOHN H. POE. 

Died of wounds Aug. 21, 1864. 
ISAAC POE. 

Died at Kingston, Ga. 
JOHN D. TINCHER. 
BARCLEY E. TANSEY. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 323 

ISAIAH H. TROGDEN. 
CLAYTON TOWNSEND. 

COMPANY E. 

WILLIAM M. MEREDITH. 

Captain, commissioned Aug. 6, 1862 ; Aug. 6, 1862 ; re- 
signed Aug. 12, 1864. 
PETER FESLER. 

Captain, commissioned Feb. 13, 1864; Sept. i, 1864; from 

27th Regiment ; mustered out with Regiment. 
CHARLES H. COX. 

Captain, commissioned Aug. 13, 1864; not mustered. 
HIRAM H. HAND. 

First Lieutenant, commissioned Aug. 6, 1862 ; Aug. 6, 1862 ; 

resigned Nov. 9, 1862. 
COLUMBUS V. GRAY. 

First Lieutenant, commissioned Nov. 10, 1862; March i, 

1863 ; resigned June 16, 1863. 
EDWARD B. COLESTOCK. 

First Lieutenant, commissioned June 17, 1863; July i, 

1863 ; died May 30, 1864, of wounds received at Resaca. 
CHARLES H. COX. 

First Lieutenant, commissioned July i, 1864; Sept. i, 1864; 

mustered out with Regiment. 
COLUMBUS V. GRAY. 

Second Lieutenant, commissioned Aug. 6, 1862; Aug. 6, 

1862 ; promoted to First Lieutenant. 
EDWARD B. COLESTOCK. 

Second Lieutenant, commissioned Nov. 10, 1862; Dec. 15, 

1862 ; promoted to First Lieutenant. 
CHARLES H. COX. 

Second Lieutenant, commissioned June 17, 1863; July I, 

1863 ; promoted to First Lieutenant. 
ALLAN F. SCHLEY. 

Second Lieutenant, commissioned Aug. 13, 1864; Feb. 10, 

1865 ; mustered out with Regiment. 



324 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

EDWARD B. COLESTOCK. 

First Sergeant July 15, 1862; promoted Second Lieutenant. 
SAMUEL LAING. 

Sergeant July 16, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as 

private. 
WILLIAM BODENHAMER. 

Sergeant July 16, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM H. GRIGGS. 

Sergeant July 21, 1862; died at Edgefield Junction, Tenn., 

Dec. 21, 1862. 
DANIEL J. MILLER. 

Sergeant July 17, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM H. COOPER. 

Corporal July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES W. RANDALL. 

Corporal July 15, 1862; deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 
JAMES ATKINS. 

Corporal July 21, 1862; deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 
FRANK A. MYERS. 

Corporal July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as pri- 
vate. 
ALLEN F. SCHLEY. 

Corporal July 15, 1862; promoted Second Lieutenant. 
JONATHAN GRAY. 

Corporal July 15, 1862; discharged. 
FREDERICK J. MEIKEL. 

Corporal July 18, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865 as pri- 
vate. 
ROBERT F. DAVIS. 

Corporal July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CYRUS O. SACKETT. 

Musician Aug. 6, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as 

Prin. Musician. 
THOMAS D. SMITH. 

Musician July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS FITZGERALD. 

Wagoner July 26, 1862; transferred to Engineer Corps 

Aug. 10, 1864. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 325 

PRIVATES. 

GEORGE K. ALBRO. 

July 29, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
MELVILLE C. ALEXANDER. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ISAAC AMOS. 

July 21, 18G2 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JERRY BARKER. 

July 31, 1862; discharged March 26, 1864. 
CHARLES BERG. 

Aug. 4, 1862; died June 30, 1864; wounds. 
THOMAS BEALE. 

July 15, 1862; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., July 5, 1864. 
JOHN F. BURNS. 

July 18, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CHARLES C. BUTLER. 

July 19, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JASPER N. BUTTERFIELD. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ANTHONY BRADEMEYER. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CHRIS C. BRADEMEYER. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY W. BUSCHER. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; discharged. 
WM. D. C. BRICKETT. 

Aug. 6, 1862; killed at Resaca May 15, 1864. 
JAS. W. BRUNGER. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 
WINFIELD S. BAKER. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN H. BEALER. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 
HENRY CAYLOR. 

July 17, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CHARLES L. CARTER. 

Aug. 5, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



326 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

JOHN D. CHARLES. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CHAS. F. W. COOK. 

July 18, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE C. CAMPBELL. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JOEL CONVERSE. 

July 25, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, 
JOS. CLINTON. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Sergeant. 
GEO. W. CAIN. 

Aug. 6, 1862; deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 
GEORGE H. CRAIG. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
CHARLES H. COX. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; promoted Second Lieutenant. 
JOHN W. DAVIES. 

July 24, 1862 ; deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 
THOS. R. DAVIS. 

Aug, 5, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM H. DEMMY. 

July 23, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865 
JOHN M. DASHIEL. 

July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CHARLES W. ETSLER. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 
JENKINS A. FITZGERALD. 

July 21, 1862; promoted Ass't Surgeon. 
WILLIAM FORSHA. 

Aug. I, 1862; discharged. 
DAVID B. FORSHA. 

July 28, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ALBERT L. FERGUSON. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE W. GETTIER. 

July 18, 1862 : mustered out June 8, 1865, as Sergeant. 
GEORGE GEISENDORFF. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 327 

DAVID HAMILTON. 

July 2^, 1862 ; deserted Feb. 6, 1863. 
JAMES S. HARDIN. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY HEITKAM. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
EDWARD HIGDON. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WM. R. HUSHAW. 

Aug. I, 1862; died at Lookout Valley, Tenn., March 31, 

1864. 
THOMAS B. HORNADAY. 

July 16, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CHARLES W. JENKINS. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
AUGUSTUS J. KINNAN. 

July 18, 1862 ; discharged. 
JOHN B. KING. 

Aug. 6, 1862; deserted Nov. 10, 1862. 
CHARLES W. KNIGHT. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM W. LAING. 

July 24, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN H. LAW. 

July 30, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOS. LANDORMIE. 

July 30, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE W. LOUCKS. 

July 18, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN D. LOWE. 

Aug. 4, 1862. Discharged March 19, 1863. 
WM. M'CUBBIN. 

July T.y, 1862 ; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 3, 1862. 
HARVEY N. M'GUIRE. 

July 19, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
SAMUEL E. METTE. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



328 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ALVA C. MAY. 

Aug. 6, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
THEOPHILUS M'CLURE. 

July 16, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM MILLER. 

Aug. 6, 1862; discharged. 
JOHN W. M'CONNELL. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Sergeant. 
JOHN L. M'CONNELL. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
REMUS OAKEY. 

Aug. I, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
EDWARD OAKEY. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN W. PERKINS. 

Aug. 5, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
PETER QUACKENBUSH. 

July 28, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HIRAM R. RHODES. 

July 28, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES M. RHODES. 

July 28, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
EZRA ROSS. 

July 28, 1862; killed June 15, 1864. 
WM. H. ROBINSON. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
SAMUEL H. STEPHENS. 

July 19, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN F. SHOEMAKER. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; transferred to Engineer Corps July 18, 1864. 
GEORGE SHOEMAKER. 

Aug. 5, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CHARLES SCHOTT. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
DAVID SMITH. 

Aug. 4, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 329 

JOS. B. SULGROVE. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOS. H. VANDERMAN. 

July 30, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
FRANK W. WELLS. 

July 15, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE N. WELLS. 

July 25, 1862 ; discharged. 
SAMUEL WHITRIDGE. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES WHITE. 

July 27, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as First Sergeant. 
JOHN WILSON. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

RECRUITS. 

CHARLES M. ASH. 

Sept. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN S. ASHER. 

March 22, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
HENRY T. BEVAN. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES BURK. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN F. BRUNER. 

Jan. 28, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
SAMSON BARBEE. 

Dec. 30, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WM. H. BRYANT. 

Sept. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
SAMUEL A. DUZAN. 

Aug. II, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, 
SAMUEL O. FLETCHER. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
BENJ. F. KILGORE. 

July 15, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS O'CONNOR 

Jan. 18, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 



330 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

JOHN PARK. 

April 4, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ISAAC N. PROSSER. 

Aug. 8, 1864; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN REESE. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WM. H. STEPHENSON. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WM. D. STEELE. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
MATTHIAS STUCK. 

Jan. 13, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865; 

wounded at Peach Tree Creek. 
JOHN S. SMITH. 

Jan. 29, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
HENRY TONEY. 

Jan. 30, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ABRAHAM WAUGHTELL. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS S. WELDON. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ELIJAH WHITE. 

Sept. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

COMPANY F. 

H. M. ENDSLEY. 

Captain, commissioned Aug. 8, 1862; Aug. 8, 1862; mus- 
tered out with the Regiment. 

THOMAS B. CARY. 

First Lieutenant, commissioned Aug. 8, 1862 ; Aug. 8, 1862 ; 
resigned for good of the service Sept. 6, 1863. 

GEORGE W. GRUBBS. 

First Lieutenant, commissioned Sept. 7, 1863 ; Nov. 20, 
1863; resigned Jan. 20, 1865, to accept appointment as 
Major 42d Regiment U. S. Colored Troops. 

ISHAM REED. 

First Lieutenant, commissioned Jan. 21, 1865; March 2^, 
1865 ; mustered out with Regiment. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 33I 

COLEMAN F. STORMS. 

Second Lieutenant, commissioned Aug. 8, 1862; Aug. 8, 

1862 ; resigned Feb. 6, 1863. 
WILLIAM H. THOMAS. 

Second Lieutenant, commissioned Feb. 7, 1863; Feb. 26, 

1863; resigned Sept. 6, 1863. 
ISHAM REED. 

Second Lieutenant, commissioned March i, 1864; March 7, 

1864; promoted First Lieutenant. 
JOHN S. PARKER. 

Second Lieutenant, commissioned Feb. 11, 1865 ; March 27, 

1865 ; mustered out with Regiment. 
WILLIAM H. THOMAS. 

First Sergeant July 23, 1862 ; promoted Second Lieutenant. 
ISHAM REED. 

Sergeant July 28, 1862 ; promoted to Second Lieutenant. 
MOSES DENNEY. 

Sergeant July 29, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as First 

Sergeant. 
CHARLES LUTHER. 

Sergeant July 23, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN S. PARKER. 

Sergeant July 28, 1862 ; promoted Second Lieutenant. 
ALFRED BARNGROVER. 

Corporal Aug. 3, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as pri- 
vate. 
GEO. W. DAWSON. 

Corporal July 23, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Ser- 
geant. 
JAS. A. STORM. 

Corporal July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Ser- 
geant. 
GEO. W. COLCLASIER. 

Corporal July 23, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
SAMUEL BASSETT. 

Corporal July 23, 1862 ; killed at Peach Tree Creek July 20, 

1864. 



332 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

JAS. M. EADES. 

Corporal July 23, 1862; wounded June 15, 1865; mustered 

out June 8, 1865. 
WM. T. DARGAN. 

Corporal July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
A. J. HULSOPPLE. 

Corporal July 23, 1862 ; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. I, 

1862. 
HY. MENDENHALL. 

Musician Aug. 7, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ISAAC STEELE. 

Musician July 20, 1862. 
JOS. C. JOHNSON. 

Wagoner Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

PRIVATES. 

JOHN W. ANDREWS. 

July 28, 1862 • killed in battle at Resaca May 15, 1864. 
JOHN LEWIS ANDREWS. 

July 28, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
FRANK ALEXANDER. 

July 28, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAS. M. ARTHUR. 

July 28, 1862; died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 15, 1863. 
WM. J. ARTHUR. 

July 28, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
OLIVE J. BASSETT. 

July 28, 1862; discharged Feb. 27, 1865. 
DANIEL BARNGROVER. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; transferred to Engineer Corps Aug. 29, 1864. 
THOMAS BUSH. 

Aug. 8, 1862; discharged Feb. 10, 1863. 
TILMAN BUSH. 

July 23, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN COX. 

July 23, 1862 ; killed at Dallas, Ga., May 25, 1864. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 333 

A. A. COLCLASIER. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
PHILIP COLCLASIER. 

July 23, 1862 ; discharged May 6, 1864. 
ROLLY D. CLOUSIER. 

July 30, 1862. 
CHARLES W. CRODY. 

July 23, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
LEANDER COLLINS. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Aug. 10, 1863. 
HEZEKIAH CARPENTER. 

Aug. 4, 1862; deserted Aug. 13, 1862. 
GEO. G. DAVIS. 

July 23, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAS. H. DAVIDSON. 

July 29, 1862 ; discharged May 6, 1863. 
WM. DERICKSON. 

July 28, 1862 ; discharged May 6, 1863. 
W. W. DAY. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
A. H. DODD. 

Aug. II, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY FISHER. 

Aug. 6, 1862. 
IRA FIELDS. 

Aug. 6, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, 
LEVI GRIFFITH. 

July 29, 1862 ; discharged Oct. 3, 1862. 
ADAM GIRTON. 

Aug. 6, 1862; deserted Aug. 14, 1862. 
JOHN GOODRICK. 

Aug. II, 1862. 
JACOB HOWERY. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WM. HULSOPPLE. 

July 23, 1862; died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Aug. i, 1863. 
CHAS. HOWERY. 

July 23, 1862; died at Saundersville, Tenn., Jan. 28, 1863. 



334 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

WAT. C. HOWARD. 

July 23, 1862 ; killed at Peach Tree Creek July 20, 1864. 
DAVID S. HACKER. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM HACKER. 

July 23, 1862; killed at Newhope Church June 15, 1864. 
F. M. HUGHS. 

July 25, 1862; deserted Sept. 13, 1862. 
GEORGE W. HUGHS. 

July 29, 1862 ; deserted Sept 23, 1862. 
SYLVESTER HULTZ. 

Aug. 4, 1862; discharged Dec. 16, 1862. 
THOMAS HENRY. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; deserted Aug. 14, 1862. 
WADDY HOOVER. 

Aug. II, 1862; discharged June 8, 1865. 
JEFFERSON HOSKINS. 

Aug. II, 1862; discharged June 8, 1865. 
JOHN M. IMIL. 

July 26, 1862; died at Gallatin, Tenn., March 19, 1864. 
MICHAEL HILL. 

July 23, 1862 ; deserted Aug. 14, 1862. 
THOS. S. JOYCE. 

July 23, 1862; died at Bowling Green, Ky,, Nov. 16, 1862. 
J. J. JONES. 

July 23, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
D. C. KENNEDY. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
DALE KRITZER. 

Aug. II, 1862; deserted Jan. 3, 1863. 
JOS. K. KEELER. 

Aug. 8, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAS. V. KING. 

July 23, 1862 ; deserted Dec. 20, 1862. 
JEROME MOORE. 

July 23, 1862; discharged March 10, 1862. 
NOAH MASSEY. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 335 

D. O. MANN. 

Aug. 7, 1862; discharged Dec. 10, 1862. 
MATTHIAS M'KAY. 

Aug. I, 1862 
JAS. MILLER. 

Aug. 9, 1862; deserted Aug. 13, 1862. 
WM. M'BRIDE. 

Aug. 9, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JASPER NICHOLS. 

July 23, 1862 ; died at Gallatin, Tenn., Feb. 22, 1863. 
JEREMIAH ODELL. 

July 23, 1862 ; killed at Kenesaw June 15, 1864. 
WM. PORTER. 

July 2^, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAS. PULLIAM. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEO. W. PATTERSON. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JOHN ROBERTS. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WM. T. ROUSE. 

July 28, 1862 ; killed at Dallas, Ga., May 27, 1864. 
THOMAS ROSS. 

July 23, 1862 ; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
PHILIP ROUSE. 

Aug. II, 1862; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 16, 1862. 
JACOB REESER. 

Aug. 5, 1862. 
AL. W. REESER. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAS. STEWARD. 

July 23, 1862 ; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Oct. 21, 1862. 
JOHN STRINGER. 

July 20, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
SAM STEWART. 

July 23, 1862; discharged December 10, 1862. 
R J. SHOEMAKER. 

July 23, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



336 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

GEO. S. SPEAGLE. 

July 2^, 1862 ; died at Saundersville, Tenn., Dec. 19, 1862. 
ALONZO SMITH. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ISAAC SHAW. 

Aug. 12, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HARVEY STROUP. 

Aug. II, 1862; deserted Aug. 13, 1862. 
MARSHALL STODDARD. 

Aug. 9, 1862 ; died at Scottsville, Ky., Nov. 26, 1862. 
JOHN F. VANLUE. 

Aug. 8, 1862; died at Saundersville, Tenn., Jan. 15, 1863. 
LYCURGUS VICTOR. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JESSE WINTON. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN WINTON. 

Aug. 6, 1862; discharged Dec. 15, 1863. 
JESSE WILLIAMS. 

July 23, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JOSEPH WOOD. 

Aug. 4, 1862; discharged May 20, 1865. 
DAVID WALKER. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAS. WINTON. 

Aug. 8, 1862; deserted Aug. 13, 1862. 
AMOS WILLIS. 

Aug. 9, 1862; deserted Sept. 13, 1862. 
WILLIAM WHITEHEAD. 

Aug. II, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Sergeant. 

RECRUITS. 

MARION ALLEE, JR. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS ALEXANDER. 

Aug. 26, 1862; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. i, 1862. 
JOHN BRADY. 

Sept. 8, 1862; died at Gallatin, Tenn., April 25, 1863. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 337 

WILLIAM BALES. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOSEPH N. BILL. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WOODSON BRYANT. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAS. N. BOURNE. 

March 26, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JEREMIAH BASSETT. 

Dec. 16, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
DAVID BADGLEY. 

Dec. 15, 1863; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
STEPHEN H.> BALLARD. 

Dec. 24, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WM. F. COLLINS. 

Feb. I, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ANDERSON J. COLLINS. 

Feb. I, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865, 
GAMALIUS COLLINS. 

Feb. I, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WM. DODSON. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WM. ELLIOTT. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
LUKE GRIFFITH. 

Sept. 8, 1862; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Oct. 15, 1862. 
LEVI GRIFFITH. 

Jan. 2, 1862 ; transferred to V. R. C. Sept. 26, 1863. 
ERI A. GAMBOLD. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAS. F. HARDIN. 

Feb. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
DAVID HANSELL. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS J. HOLDRAM. 

Dec. 12, 1864; killed at Resaca May 14, 1864. 
BENJ. JOHNSON. 

Sept. 8, 1862 ; discharged March 19, 1864. 



338 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

CHAUNCY KNOWLTON. 

Feb. I, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN LEWIS. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
LINDSEY LAMB. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLL\M M'GREW. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ARRIS M. MORLEY. 

Feb. 12, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ANDREW MAY, 

Dec. 15, 1863; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE MILLER. 

Dec. 15, 1863; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN L. MESLER. 

Jan. 24, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
LEVI C. MORLEY. 

Jan. 23, 1864; deserted March 16, 1865. 
PHILIP MILLER. 

Aug. 26, 1863 ; discharged at Madison Feb. 20, 1864. 
JAMES H. NAIL. 

March i, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN B. PRITCHARD. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
CHALIMERS REED. 

j\Iarch 7, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOSEPH H. SMITH. 

March 21, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM STEWART. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
HENRY SQUIRES. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
FRANCIS H. SIMS. 

Jan. 28, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
BENJ. F. STEWART. 

Feb. 12, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WM. F. SMITH. 

Aug. 19, 1864; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 339 

GEO. TINCHER. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
BENJ. VANPELT. 

Feb. 26, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
MICHAEL P. VORIS. 

Dec. II, 1862; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 

COMPANY G. 

PARKER S. CARSON. 

Captain; commissioned Second Lieutenant recruiting offi- 
cer July 14, 1862; promoted Captain Aug. 7, 1862; mus- 
tered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

JOHN M. WHITE. 

First Lieutenant; promoted Ass't Surgeon Dec. 6, 1862; 
died 1863. 

THOMAS WEBB. 

Second Lieutenant; promoted First Lieutenant Dec. 6, 
1862; resigned June 13, 1863. 

EDWARD S. SMOCK. 

Orderly Sergeant; promoted Second Lieutenant Dec. 6, 
1862; First Lieutenant June 13, 1863; wounded at Resaca, 
Ga., May 15, 1864; discharged Nov. 4, 1864; disability. 

JOSIAH LOWES. 

First Sergeant; promoted Orderly Sergeant Dec. 6, 1862; 
Second Lieutenant June 13, 1863; killed by gunshot July 
20, 1864, at Peach Tree Creek. 

SOMERFIELD THOMAS. 

Sergeant; promoted Ord. Sergeant June 13, 1863; Second 
Lieutenant Dec. 17, 1864; First Lieutenant Jan. 24, 1865; 
wounded May 15, 1865, at Resaca, Ga. ; mustered out with 
Regiment June 8, 1865. 

EDWARD KENTZEL. 

Sergeant; killed by cannon shot June 15, 1864. 

JOHN S. MORRIS. 

Sergeant; promoted Ord. Sergeant Dec. 7, 1864; Second 
Lieutenant Jan. 24, 1865 ; mustered out with Regiment June 
8, 1865. 



340 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

JOHN S. THOMAS. 

Corporal; promoted Sergeant Dec. 6, 1862; killed May 15, 

1864, at Resaca, Ga. 
DANIEL W. LEAVITT. 

Corporal ; promoted Sergeant June 13, 1863 ; died in hos- 
pital Oct. II, 1864. 
RICHARD FERREE. 

Corporal; killed May 15, 1864, at Resaca, Ga. 
WILLIAM H. M'LAUGHLIN. 

Corporal; promoted Sergeant Sept. i, 1864; wounded July 

20, 1864, at Peach Tree Creek 
CAREY A. M'FARLAND. 

Corporal ; discharged from hospital. 
DAVID BREWER. 

Corporal; promoted Sergeant Sept. i, 1864; discharged 

from hospital. 
DANIEL M. RANSDELL. 

Corporal; wounded May 15, 1864, Resaca, Ga. ; right arm 

amputated ; discharged March 10, 1865, Indianapolis. 
ROBERT M. WILLIS. 

Corporal ; discharged Aug. 26, 1864, by special order of 

Gen'l Thomas, Chattanooga, Tenn., to receive promotion in 

Pioneer Corps. 
JOSEPH EDWARDS. 

Musician ; mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 
WHARTON RANSDELL. 

Musician ; discharged from hospital. 
SAMUEL COLLY. 

Teamster ; mustered out with Company June 8, 1865 
VALENTINE LEEPER. 

Teamster; died at Acton, Ind., Oct. 11, 1864. 

PRIVATES. 

JOSEPH ALEXANDER. 

Discharged from hospital. 
HIRAM ADAIR. 

Wounded June 15, 1864, by gunshot; died from wound 

July 20, 1864, Nashville, Tenn. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 341 

JOSEPH ADAIR. 

Wounded June 15, 1864, by cannon shot; died from wound 
June 19, 1864, Chattanooga, Tenn. 

WILLIAM BRENTON. 

Killed by gunshot May 15, 1865, at Resaca, Ga. 

ROBERT BUTCHER. 

Wounded in right arm at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; mus- 
tered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

JOHN W. BARNETT. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

HOWARD BRUMLEY. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

ANDREW CARSON. 

Wounded in face by explosion of shell June 15, 1864, at 
Golgotha, Ga. ; mustered out with Company June 8, 1865, 

ABSALOM CRUSE. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

JOHN R. COPELAND. 

Wounded in breast by spent ball June 19, 1864; mustered 
out with Company June 8, 1865. 

HENRY CLARY. 

Wounded by shell at Golgotha, Ga., June 15, 1864; died of 
wound June 20, 1864, at Chattanooga, Tenn. 

GEO. W. CROSSON. 

Promoted Corporal Sept. i, 1864; mustered out with Com- 
pany June 8, 1865. 

GEORGE CALDWELL. 

Promoted Corporal June 13, 1863 ; promoted Sergeant Dec. 
17, 1864; wounded in head by shell June 15, 1864; mustered 
out with Company June 8, 1865. 

JAMES G. CLARK. 

Promoted Corporal Sept. i, 1864; mustered out with Com- 
pany June 8, 1865. 

WILLIAM T. CLARK. 

Killed by gunshot May 15, 1864, at Resaca, Ga. 

THOMAS b. CAMPBELL. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 



342 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ELLISON CARR. 

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate of disability Aug. 12, 
1864, at Indianapolis. 

WILLIAM DUNLAP. 

Wounded in shoulder by gunshot May 15, 1864, at Resaca, 
Ga. 

RICHARD DOBSON. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

THOMAS W. DUELL. 

Wounded in side by shell June 15, 1864. 

DAVID M. EDWARDS. 

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate of disability June, 1863, 
Nashville, Tenn. 

JEREMIAH FEATHERSTONE. 

Wounded at Golgotha, Ga., June 15, 1864; discharged 
March 6, 1865 ; disability. 

CHARLES N. FITZGERALD. 

Died at Lavergne, Tenn., June 16, 1863. 

ELIJAH FISHER. 

Promoted Corporal Sept. i, 1864; mustered out with Com- 
pany June 8, 1865. 

ISAAC N. FRED. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

THOMAS B. FOWLER. 

Wounded in right arm at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; dis- 
charged Dec. 6, 1864, for disability from wound at Indian- 
apolis. 

JOHN FOULK. 

Killed by shell near Dallas, Ga., May 25, 1864. 

DAVID GRUBE. 

Wounded at Peach Tree Creek, Ga., July 20, 1864; mus- 
tered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

ALEXANDER GORDON. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

WILLIAM GWINUP. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 343 

JAMES H. GIBSON. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; mustered out with 

Company June 8, 1865. 
SAMUEL GIFFORD. 

Deserted from Bowling Green, Ky., Nov., 1862. 
SILAS S. HARRIS. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; died of wound 

Aug. 14, 1864, at Bridgeport, Ala. 
JOHN HOLTON. 

Discharged from hospital. 
MARTIN M. HARLAN. 

Wounded at Golgotha, Ga., June 15, 1864; died of wound 

July 9, 1864, at Chattanooga, Tenn. 
GEO. W. HARLAN. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 
JAMES HARRIS. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; mustered out with 

Company June 8, 1865. 
ALBERT HELMS. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; discharged for 

disability by reason of wound Jan. 17, 1865, at Indianapolis. 
THOMAS D. HARTMAN. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 
GEO. M. JONES. 

Died Nov. 8, 1862, at Bowling Green, Ky. 
WILLIAM A. KUSER. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM R. LOWES. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 
CHANCEY LEAVITT. 

Killed in battle at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
GEO. W. LEWIS. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; discharged from 

hospital. 
JAMES H. M'LAUGHLIN. 

Discharged for disability July 19, 1863, at Gallatin, Tenn. 
VALENTINE M'MULLEN. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 



344 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

ROBERT S. MOORE. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; mustered out with 

Company June 8, 1865. 
DANIEL MERRIMAN. 

Discharged for disability at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1863. 
MOSES G. M'LAIN. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; discharged August 

18, 1864, for amputation of right arm at Indianapolis. 
LYMAN MARTIN. 

Died of consumption Nov. 10, 1863, at Murfreesboro, Tenn. 
JOHN D. MOORE. 

Deserted from Louisville, Ky., Aug. 16, 1862. 
GEO. W. M'MILLEN. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; mustered out with 

Company June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM A. MARRS. 

Promoted Sergeant July 22, 1862; transferred to non- 
commissioned staff. 
ENOCH H. NELSON. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 
DAVID W. PIERSON. 

Wounded at Golgotha, Ga., June 15, 1864; discharged from 

hospital, Indianapolis. 
JOHN H. PEGGS. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; discharged from 

hospital. 
CHARLES W. RAWLINGS. 

Discharged away from Company 1865. 
WILLIAM T. RAWLINGS. 

Discharged Feb. 18, 1863, for disability at Indianapolis. 
BENJ. RANSDELL. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; mustered out with 

Company June 8, 1865. 
THEODORE REYBOURN. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 
JAMES RUSSELL. 

Discharged Dec. 6, 1862, for disability at Bowling 

Green, Ky. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 345 

LUTHER SYLVEY. 

Discharged March 17, 1864, for disability at Nashville, 
Tenn. 

JOHN T. SEELY. 

Wounded at Golgotha, Ga., June 15, 1864; discharged be- 
cause of wound Nov. 25, 1864, at Indianapolis. 

RICHARD SCANLAN. 

Promoted Corporal Sept. i, 1864; mustered out with Com- 
pany June 8, 1865. 

DAVID STOOPS. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864 ; discharged because 
of disability Dec. 7, 1864, at Indianapolis. 

RICHARD M. SMOCK. 

Wounded by gunshot June 16, 1864 ; transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps April 24, 1865 ; discharged at Indianapolis, 
June 30, 1865. 

SAMUEL J. SMOCK. 

Promoted Corporal and Sergeant, dates unknown ; wounded 
at Peach Tree Creek, Ga., July 20, 1864; wounded at 
Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 15, 1864; discharged Sept. i, 1864, to 
accept promotion. 

JOHN THOMAS. 

Discharged May 4, 1863, for disability at Nashville, Tenn. 

GEO. C. THOMPSON. 

Promoted Corporal Sept. i, 1864; detailed as Color Guard 
Nov., 1864; discharged from general hospital, Albany N. 
Y., June 8, 1865. 

SHELTON THOMPSON. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

JAMES J. TOON. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

ADOLPHUS TOON. 

Discharged March 19, 1863, for disability caused by acci- 
dental gunshot. 

JAMES J. TOLIN. 

Deserted from Indianapolis Aug., 1862; arrested July, 
1863; deserted second time October, 1863, at Nashville, 
Tenn. 



346 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

HOWARD TODD. 

Discharged Feb. 9, 1863, by reason of disability caused 
by accidental gunshot. 

BENJ. VORHEES. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

IRA WILLIAMS. 

Wounded by shell June 15, 1865, at Golgotha, Ga. ; mus- 
tered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

WILLIAM WELLS. 

Killed near Atlanta, Ga., Aug., 1864, by gunshot. 

JOSEPH A. WHEATLEY. 

Mustered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

WILLIAM L. WENTZ. 

Wounded by gunshot at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; mus- 
tered out with Company June 8, 1865. 

NELSON YOKE. 

Mustered out with company June 8, 1865 ; detailed as 
Orderly at Big Headquarters. 

RECRUITS. 

SAMUEL BARROW. 

Discharged from hospital at Indianapolis. 
ISAAC COOK. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; died of wound 

July 9, 1864, at Louisville, Ky. 
WILLIAM H. FRED. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; discharged for 

disability caused by wound March 18, 1865, at Indianapolis. 
WILLIAM E. GORDON. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
FRANCIS M. HARTMAN. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
SAMUEL H. MOORE. 

Discharged for promotion March 24, 1864; Adjutant 13th 

Indiana Cavalry. 
ROBERT A. MOORE. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 347 

JOHN W. REYNOLDS. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
BENJ. THOMAS. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; died of wound 

June 21, 1864, at Resaca, Ga. 
JOHN J. TURNER. 

Wounded by gunshot June 22, 1864; transferred to 33d 

Indiana June 8, 1865. 

VETERANS AND RECRUITS. 

Transferred to Company G, 70th Indiana, Nov. 15, 1864, from 

27th Indiana. 
JOSEPH RALLY. 

Promoted to Ord. Sergeant March 28, 1865 ; transferred to 

33d Indiana June 8, 1865 ; Veteran. 
FRANKLIN SHEIRMERSHEIM. 

Promoted Second Sergeant Dec. 17, 1864; wounded at 

Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863; transferred to 33d Indiana 

June 8, 1865. 
AUGUSTE DONNERMAN. 

Corporal ; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
JOHN W. LANSFORD. 

Corporal; wounded at Chancellorsville, Va., 1862, and at 

Dallas, Ga., June 15, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana 

June 8, 1865. 
RHEINHART RICH. 

Musician ; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 

PRIVATES. 

JOHN ACKERMAN. 

Wounded May 25, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 

8, 1865. 
ANTHONY BARGER. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
JAMES BURTON. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 



348 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

EDWARD DUFFY. 

Wounded at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862 ; transferred to 

33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
CELESTINE ECKERTS. 

Wounded Aug. 29, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 

8, 1865. 
FREDERIC GETTER. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
JOHN E. GARDNER. 

Wounded at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862 ; transferred to 

33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
BENJ. F. KEMP. 

Wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863; transferred to 

33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
DAVID B. KEMP. 

Wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863 ; transferred to 

33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
JACOB MATHAIS. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865 ; wounded May 

25, 1864. 
JOSEPH RICE. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
GEO. W. STRINGER. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
RANSOM H. WALLACE. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 

COMPANY H. 

AMBROSE D. CUNNING. 

Captain; commissioned Aug. 12, 1862; Aug. 12, 1862; 

mustered out with Regiment. 
WILLIAM HARDENBROOK. 

First Lieutenant; commissioned Aug. 12, 1862; Aug. 12, 

1862 ; mustered out with Regiment. 
WILLIS RECORD. 

Second Lieutenant; commissioned Aug. 12, 1862; Aug. 12, 

1862 ; resigned Dec. 21, 1864. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 349 

LEROY S. HATLEY. 

First Sergeant Aug. 2, 1862; promoted Second Lieuten- 
ant ; commissioned Jan. 17, 1865 ; February 10, 1865 ; mus- 
tered out with Regiment. 

ROBT. W M'NAUGHT. 

Sergeant July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as pri- 
vate. 

WM. H. BRADLEY. 

Sergeant ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 

WM. F. GARRISON. 

Sergeant; mustered out June 8, 1865, as private. 

JOHN F. FARR. 

Sergeant Aug. 2, 1862; discharged Dec. 12, 1862. 

JOSH POLLARD. 

Corporal July 29, 1862 ; discharged Dec. 10, 1862. 

WILEY BRAGG. 

Corporal July 28, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Ser- 
geant. 

GEO. W. FLAKE. 

Corporal Aug. 5, 1862; died at Nashville, Tenn., June 30, 
1864; wounds. 

WILLIAM H. GIBBS. 

Corporal Aug. 2, 1862 ; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 

WILLIAM OLDS. 

Corporal Aug. 2, 1862; killed at Newhope Church June 
15, 1864. 

D. P. KENNEDY. 

Corporal Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865 ; 
wounded at Newhope Church June 15, 1864. 

ABRAHAM G. BUTTERFIELD. 

Corporal Aug. 6, 1862 ; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 

13, 1862. 

PRESTON D. WAKELAND. 

Corporal Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS W. ELEY. 

Musician Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM W. WEAVER. 

Musician July 28, 1862; killed near Resaca, Ga., May 

14, 1864. 



350 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

PRIVATES. 

HEROD ATKINS. 

July 28, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN B. ASHER. 

July 28, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865 ; wounded near 

Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864. 
HENLEY ALBERTSON. 

Aug. 2, 1862 ; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Oct. 28, 1862. 
WILLIAM W. BEAN. 

July 8, 1862; discharged March 12, 1863. 
W. G. BAIN. 

July 28, 1862; discharged Dec. 31, 1862. 
MILTON BOYD. 

July 29, 1862 ; killed at Dallas Woods, Ga., May 30, 1864. 
WILLIAM H. BROWN. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HARRISON BURNS. 

Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
ANDREW J. BURNS. 

Aug. 12, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN BURNS. 

Aug. 12, 1862; transferred to Eng. Corps Aug. 10, 1864. 
LEVI BAKER. 

Aug. 12, 1862 ; wounded at battle of Peach Tree Creek July 

20, 1864; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEO. W. BURNS. 

Aug. 12, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 3, 1863. 
ISAAC BENGE. 

Jan. 14, 1864; died at Lookout Valley May 4, 1864. 
WILEY BURNS. 

Jan. 28, 1864; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
H. C. BAKER. 

Jan. 14, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
MILTON B. BISHOP. 

Jan. 14, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865. 
JAMES BALL. 

Oct. 10, 1863. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 351 

DAVID COOK. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY B. COX. 

July 29, 1862. 
WM. S. CRAMER. 

Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JEREMIAH COLLIER. 

Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN CRANK. 

July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HIRAM COX. 

July 29, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JOSEPH CLENDEMIM. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WM. L. COLLIER. 

July 28, 1862. 
OWEN COLLIER 

Aug. 2, 1862. 
WM. H. COSTIN. 

July 27, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN M. CREED. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
FRANK CHERLING. 

Jan. 21, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1805. 
DWIGHT H. DANE. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
MARSHALL DANE. ^ . ^ o^ 

July 21, 1862 ; died at Scottsville Feb. 6, 1863. 
THOMAS DIXON. 

Aug. 12, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 

BENONI N. DANE. 

July 21, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES E. DECOURSEY. 

Aug. 9, 1862 ; died at Scottsville Dec. 10, 1862. 
GEO. W. DENT. 

Aug. 10, 1862; discharged Oct. 31, 1862. 
DANIEL DAVIDSON. 

Aug. 10, 1862; mustered out June 8, 18O5. 



352 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

GILBERT EWING. 

Dec. 31, 1863. 
WILLIAM H. FOWLER. 

Aug. 6, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
FREDERICK FUNK. 

July 28, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEO. FUNK. 

July 18, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS C. FAITH. 

Sept. I, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN F. GARRISON. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 27, 1863. 
WILLIAM G. GARRISON. 

Aug. 12, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Sergeant. 
WILLIAM GLESSENER. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN H. GREGORY. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN GRAVES. 

Jan. 14, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
GREENBERRY GRIFFEN. 

Jan. 14, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
HENRY HAYDEN. 

Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
NATHAN T. HASTINGS. 

Aug. 6, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN T. HAMMONS. 

Aug. 10, 1862; wounded July, 1864; discharged Dec. i, 

1864. 
WILLIAM D. HOWEL. 

Aug. 12, 1862 ; discharged Dec. 6, 1862. 
WILLIAM K. HASTINGS. 

Jan. 14, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN HOWARD. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
LEE HAZELWOOD. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 353 

WILLIAM R. HALE. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES HATLEY. 

Dec. 31, 1863 ; died at Lookout Mountain Aug. 10, 1864. 
JOSHUA HAMMOND. 

March 5, 1864 ; died in Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 5, 1864. 
WILLIAM H. HUSHAW. 

Feb. 13, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN JUDSON. 

Aug. 6, 1862. 
JAMES H. JUDSON. 

July 29, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS JACKSON. 

Aug. 6, 1862; discharged Dec. 6, 1862. 
DANIEL JARRET. 

Jan. 16, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ALFRED A. KECK. 

Sept. I, 1862 ; discharged Sept 3, 1865. 
JAMES M. LEWIS. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ALEXANDER LONG. 

March 5, 1864 ; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 4, 1864. 
GEO. LAWRENCE. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
FRANKLIN LAMAR. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
CALVIN MORGAN. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ALEXANDER C. MYERS. 

Aug. 2, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEO. W. MOSIER. 

Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS MINTON. 

Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEO. W. McGOWEN. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES M. McGOWEN. 

Aug. 10, 1862; transferred to V. R. C. May 31, 1864. 



354 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

SENECA S. MAJORS. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY H. MULLIS. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
MICHAEL McKINNEY. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
HARVEY NEWBORN. 

Aug. 6, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THEODORE M. NANCE. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
REUBEN NEWMAN. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
DOUGLAS NARBEL. 

Oct. 10, 1863. 
HENRY C. OLDS. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; discharged Dec. 6, 1862. 
DANIEL OLIVER. 

July 26, 1862. 
JOHN J. OLIVER. 

July 26, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMPSON PAYTON. 

Jan. 14, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES PARSON. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
HARVEY POMEROY. 

July 29, 1862; deserted Sept. 28, 1862. 
DAVID L. PEACOCK. 

Aug. 6, 1862. 
BENJ. S. ROBBINS. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Sergeant. 
ELIS L. RAY. 

July 22, 1862; died May 22, 1864; wound received at 

Resaca, Ga. 
CHARLES W. ROBERTS. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; died at Gallatin, Tenn., May i, 1863. 
JOHN RULE. 

Aug. 10, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 355 

JACOB REEDY. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; died at Washington, D. C, May 25, 1865. 
SAMUEL V. SLACK. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS SINGLETON. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; transferred to Engineer Corps Aug. 10, 1804. 
MAISON O. SHIPLEY. 

July 26, 1862; discharged Sept. 15, 1863. 
DAVID SMITH. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
CHARLES SHELTMEYER. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 

JAMES SINGLETON. ^ , t 1 t«^. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; killed at Peach Tree Creek July 20, 1864. 

JOHn'' SCOTT. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1864. 

LEWIS P. STONE. . 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1854. 

JAMES W. TOUT. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; died at Gallatin, Tenn., May 24, 1863. 
JOSEPH P. TROYER. 

Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
OMAZIAH TACKET. 

July 26, 1862. 
JOHN THACHER. 

Aug. 10, 1862; discharged March 3, 1865. 
THOMAS J. TOWNSEND. 

Aug. 10, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865 ; wounded. 

DANIEL TAYLOR. 

July 26, 1862. 
JAMES THOMPSON. 

Jan. 14, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 

HIRAM VOYLES. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; died at Resaca, Ga., May 24, 1864. 
ALBERT VOYLES. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 18O5. 



356 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

MASON WARNER. 

July 1 8, 1862; died Aug. 2y, 1864; wound received near 

Atlanta, Ga. 
JESSE WILHITE. 

Aug. 12, 1862 ; discharged March 12, 1863. 
ROBERT WHEELER. 

July 25, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOSEPH WHITSON. 

July 29, 1862 ; died at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 24, 1864. 
WILLIAM S. WARTHERN. 

Aug. 2, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEO. W. WARNER. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; discharged March 8, 1863. 
ANDREW WHITE. 

March 26, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS WHITE. 

March 26, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ROBERT S. WILSON. 

March 26, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
SAMUEL F. WEBBER. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 

COMPANY I. 

WILLIAM H. FISHER. 

Captain Aug. 7, 1862 ; Aug. 12, 1862 ; resigned Feb. 24, 
1864; went home from Stevenson, Ala., March 6, 1864. 

JOHN W. THORNBURG. 

Captain ; transferred to Company I Nov. 14, 1864, from 
the 27th Indiana ; mustered out with the Regiment. 

THOMAS J. MORGAN. 

First Lieutenant ; resigned April 2, 1864. to become Colonel 
14th U. S. C. Infantry; promoted Brigadier General. 

STEPHEN W. DUNCAN. 

Second Lieutenant; resigned April 3, 1863. 

SAMUEL WESLEY MARTIN. 

First Sergeant ; promoted Second Lieutenant. First Lieu- 
tenant ; severely wounded May 14 at Resaca, Ga. ; mustered 
out with Regiment. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 357 

GEORGE W. GRUBBS. 

Sergeant; promoted Sergeant Major, First Lieutenant 
Company F, Acting A. A. G. First Brigade; slightly 
wounded at Peach Tree Creek; Major ^d U. S. C. In- 
fantry; stunned at Resaca. May 15, 1864, by a cannon ball. 

JOHN E. CLELAND. 

Sergeant ; promoted Second Lieutenant ; dechned ; promoted 
Adjutant, Captain 44th U. S. C. Infantry; prisoner of war 
Oct., 1864. Acting A. A. G. Brigade Staff. 

JOSEPH M. TILSON. 

Sergeant ; promoted Second Lieutenant ; mustered out with 

Regiment. 
HENRY W. HENDERSON. 

Sergeant; discharged Aug. 5, 1863; disability. 
JAMES H. METEER. 

Sergeant ; promoted Captain 14th U. S. C. Infantry. 
JAMES H. KELLY. 

Sergeant; mustered out with Regiment as First Sergeant. 

THOMAS H. DEER. 

Sergeant; wounded Aug. 10, 1864, and died the 13th, near 

Atlanta, Ga. 
GEO. W. ADAMS. 

Sergeant ; mustered out with Regiment. 
J. F. VARNER. 

Sergeant ; mustered out with Regiment. 
JOHN W. STRICKLER. 

Sergeant; on detail with General Slocum; mustered out 
with Regiment. 
JAMES T. KINNICK. 

Sergeant; mustered out with Regiment. 
GEO. A. COLEMAN. 

Corporal ; mustered out with Regiment as private. 
REDDING M. GARRISON. 

Corporal; regimental P. M., Color Guard; mustered out 
with Regiment. 
WILLIAM B. KELLY. 

Corporal; discharged Dec. 13, 1862 ; disability. 
ISAAC DUCKWORTH. 

Corporal; mustered out with Regiment as Teamster. 



358 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

WILLIAM C. SANDEFUR. 

Corporal ; mustered out with Regiment. 
CLINTON R. SMITH. 

Corporal ; mustered out with Regiment. 
ANDREW J. JOHNSON. 

Corporal ; slightly wounded June 25 at Kenesaw Mountain 

and July 20 at Peach Tree Creek ; mustered out with Regi- 
ment. 
ORLANDO M. MORRISON. 

Corporal ; mustered out with Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JERRY LONG. 

Corporal ; mustered out with Regiment. 
FRANCIS M. TILSON. 

Corporal ; mustered out with Regiment. 
BEN J. N. ADAMS. 

Corporal; killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
CORNELIUS L. GARSHWILER. 

Corporal ; mustered out with Regiment ; recruit. 
LEWIS ANDERSON. 

Musician ; died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 27, 1863 ; body 

sent home. 
MARINE TILSON. 

Musician ; mustered out with Regiment. 
SIMON MINOR TILSON. 

Musician ; mustered out with Regiment as Bugler. 

PRIVATES. 

NEWTON G. ADAMS. 

Mustered out with Regrment ; had served in 7th Indiana. 
SAMUEL E. ADAMS. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
BETHUEL ADAMS. 

Died at Saundersville, Tenn., Jan. 17, 1863. 
JAMES ARCHBOLD. 

Mustered out with Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM D. AMOS. 

Mustered out with Regiment ; recruited Dec. 7, 1863. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 359 

HARLAN ANDERSON. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana; recruit from 27th Indiana. 

IRWIN D. BAKER. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
WILLIAM R. BANTA. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
ALONZO N. BERGEN. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
WILLIAM H. BISHOP. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
MARTIN BEARD. 

Discharged Oct. 27, 1862 ; disatihty. 

^^Sied^ofwoTdf received at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 

LEVI BURNETT. 

Died at Hilton Head, S. C., Feb. 14, 1865. 

""IZ^JZI, .B63; disaMUtr, Fir. Lieutenant in 

I32d Indiana. 
^^Sl^d'aJ Washington, D. C, June 6. .865; iron, .7th In- 

diana. 
^"^S!sfe™l3dIndiana.ectuit.o..;th Indiana. 

^""^L"°°Ap-i 8, :865.rec™itfto„.;ti, Indiana. 

^^rt^edtSR5»ent;rec™itedOct..6,.S53. 

JAS. M. CLEM. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
THOMAS J. COOK. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
GEO. COOK. 

Discharged May 4, 1863. 

JERRY M. COLEMAN. . ., i^esaca Ga May 15, 

Died July 7, of wounds received at Resaca, ua., y 

1864. 



360 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

DANIEL CRAWFORD. 

Discharged Jan. 21, 1863; disability. 
DAVID N. CRUTCHFIELD. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
TISDALE E. CURRY. 

Died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 25, 1862. 
WILLIAM F. COX. 

Mustered out April 8, 1865 ; recruit from 27th Indiana. 
PHILLIPS COX. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruit from 27th Indiana. 
GEO. W. COONS. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruit from 27th Indiana. 
WILLIAM C. COMBS. 

Died of wounds received at Kenesaw Mountain June 19, 

1864; recruited Feb. 14, 1864. 
JOSIAH DEER. 

Discharged on account of wounds received at Elwood 

Springs Sept. i, 1862. 
CHRISTOPHER DOWDEN. 

Died at Saundersville, Tenn., Jan. 27, 1863. 
REECE DUNN. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
JOSIAH DRAKE. 

Mustered out with Regiment ; Brigade Carpenter. 
GIDEON DRAKE. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865 ; recruited Jan. 4, 

1864. 
DANIEL W. DUKE. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruited March 29, 1864. 
WILLIAM ELGIN. 

Promoted Chaplain 14th U. S. C. Infantry. 
JAMES FEAR. 

Mustered out with Regiment ; Company Cook. 
WILLIAM FRED. 

Discharged Dec. 15, 1862; disability. 
HENRY A. FERRIS. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruit from 27th Indiana. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 361 

JOSEPH M. FISHER. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana; recruited March i, 1864. 
GRANVILLE R. GRIFFITH. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
WINSTON B. GARR. 

Discharged Feb. 25, 1863 ; disabiHty. 
JOHN GLASS. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruited Dec. 9, 1863. 
JAMES R. HAMILTON. 

Mustered out with Regiment ; Company Cook. 
EBENEZER HARBERT. 

Transferred to Pioneer Corps Aug. 10, 1864. 
NATHAN HARRIS. 

Transferred to Pioneer Corps Aug. 10, 1864. 
JAMES H. HINKLE. 

Died of wounds received at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
SAMUEL P. HOEFER. 

Wounded June 15, 1864; discharged Dec. 6, 1864; had 

served in the i8th Indiana. 
JAMES W. HOWARD. 

Drowned at Bowling Green, Ky., Sept. 14, 1862. 
WILLIAM HUGHES. 

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps Sept. 15, 1863. 
JAMES HUTCHISON. 

Discharged Jan. 16, 1863 ; disability. 
AARON W. HUTCHISON. 

Mustered out with Regiment June 8, 1865. 
FRANCIS M. HARPER. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865 ; recruited Sept. 

21, 1863. 
ISAAC N. HARPER. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865 ; recruited Dec. 

9, 1863. 
JOSEPH C. HENDERSON. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865 ; recruited Dec. 

9, 1863. 
REUBEN HOLBROOK. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruit from 27th Indiana. 



362 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

BENJ. H. IRWIN. 

Died of wounds received at Marietta, Ga., July 2, 1864; re- 
cruited Feb. 2y, 1864. 
JOSEPH L. IRWIN. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruited February 27, 1864. 
GEO. B. ISRAEL. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruited Dec. 9, 1863. 
HARRISON JACKSON. 

Mustered out with Regiment June 8, 1864. 
NATHANIEL L. JOHNSON. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
JAMES S. KELLY. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
ANDREW T. KELLY. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; wounded at Snake Creek Gap ; 

recruited Dec. 7, 1863. 
THOMAS C. MAPPIN. 

Died of wounds received at Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864. 
JOSEPH AL MAPPIN. 

Mustered out with Regiment ; had served in i8th Indiana. 

TIPTON McAllister. 

Died at Scottsville, Ky., Nov. 18, 1862. 

JESSE c. McLean. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
JAMES A. McKEEHAN. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
WILLIAM G. McVEY. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 

HUGH Mccracken. 

Discharged April 4, 1863 ; re-enlisted in 17th Indiana. 
SAMUEL MITCHELL. 

Killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
LEVI MOODY. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
EUGENE A. MORGAN. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana June 8, 1865 ; recruited Aug. 

13, 1863. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 363 

WILLIAM MUSTER. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruit from 27th Indiana. 

WILLIAM M. NEAL. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
ALONZO OLMSTEAD. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruit from 27th Indiana. 

GEO. W. PARMER. 

Died at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 9, 1863. 
SAMUEL PATTERSON. 

Killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. 
FRANCIS H. PATTERSON. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
JOHN A. POOL. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
WILLIAM H. QUINN. 

Discharged May 15, 1865 ; disability. 
JAMES M. QUINN. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
JAMES M. RICHARDSON. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
JOHN SILL. 

Mustered out with Regiment. 
JAMES W. Smith. 

Mustered out with Regiment as Teamster. 
CHARLES N. SMITH. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruited Dec. 7, i8e)3. 

JAMES M. SMITH. 

Discharged Feb. 16, 1863; disability. 

JOHN A. STANFIELD. . . tt Ar 

Mustered out with Regiment ; served a time in Heavy Ar- 
tillery. 

WILLIAM W. STEWARD. 
Mustered out with Regiment. 

ALEXANDER SUITOR. 

Discharged March 7, 1863 ; disability. 

GRIFFITH STRADLEY. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruit from 27th Indiana. 
JOHN W. SWINNEY. 



364 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

Discharged Nov. 21, 1863; disability. 
SAMUEL H. TETRICK. 

Mustered out with Regiment ; Wagon Master. 
JOHN A. TROUT. 

Discharged July 28, 1863 ; disability. 
ELIJAH VANARSDALL. 

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps Jan. 15, 1865. 
WILSON VAUGHT. 

Wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; mustered out with 

Regiment. 
JOHN W. VAUGHT. 

Killed at Kenesaw Mountain June 15, 1864. 
ALLEN A. WALKER. 

Mustered out with Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM M. WHITE. 

Wounded at Kenesaw Mountain June 19, 1864; mustered 

out with regiment. 
WILLIAM WHITESIDES. 

Discharged Jan. 21, 1863. 
VOLNEY WALTON. 

Transferred to 33d Indiana ; recruit from 27th Indiana. 

COMPANY K. 

SAMUEL MERRILL. 

Captain Aug. i, 1862; Major April 11, 1863; Lieutenant 

Colonel March i, 1864; mustered out with Regiment. 
JAMES T. MATLOCK. 

First Lieutenant Aug. i, 1862; Captain April 11, 1863; 

wounded at Peach Tree Creek; mustered out Oct. 25, 1864. 
ORION A. BARTHOLOMEW. 

Second Lieutenant Aug. i, 1862; First Lieutenant April 

II, 1863 ; Lieutenant Colonel 15th U. S. C. I ; Colonel 109th 

U. S. C. I.; Brevet Brigadier General. 
THOMAS S. CAMPBELL. 

First Sergeant July 25, 1862; Second Lieutenant April 11, 

1863; First Lieutenant Sept. 19, 1864; mustered out with 

Regiment. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 3^S 

NATHAN A. SECREST. 

Sergeant July 14, 1862; promoted Captain, then promoted 

Major U. S. C. I. 
WILLIAM H. KEMPER. 

Sergeant July 19, 1862; Second Lieutenant Nov. 14, 1864, 

mustered out with Regiment. 
GEO. P. VANCE. 

Sergeant July 30, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 26, 1863, to accept 

commission in the Navy. 
JOSEPH M. HARRISON. 

Sergeant July 23, 1862 ; discharged Dec. 9, 18&2. 

Corporal July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as First 

Sergeant. 

ANDREW GRAYDON. 

Corporal July 14, 1862; Second Lieutenant ist U. S. Bat- 
tery Colored ; Brevet Captain. 

PARISH L. MAHEW. 

Corporal July 15, 1862; discharged Jan. 21, 1863. 

^^ Corpo'^^^^^^^^ 1862; died at SaundersviUe, Tenn., Eeb. 

17, 1863. 
FRANK GILLET. . ^. . 

Corporal July 15, 1862; discharged for promotion First 

Lieutenant 14th U. S. Colored Infantry. 
ROBERT W. CATHCART. . t ... 8 t86^ as 

Corporal July 15, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as 

Sergeant. 
JOSHUA C. HADLEY. .. T8r.c- 

Corporal July 22, 1862; Second Lieutenant Jan. 24, 1865, 

Captain April i, 1865 ; mustered out with Regiment. 
ALBERT COLLIER. 

Corporal July 22, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS ANGLE. 

Musician July 24, 1862 ; discharged Dec. 17, 1864. 
NATHANIEL E. EUDALY. 

Musician July 24. 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 



366 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

GEO. W. KOONTZ. 

Wagoner July 15, 1862; discharged Dec, 13, 1864; lost an 
arm at Resaca. 

PRIVATES. 

PERRY ABELL. 

July 26, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY C. ADAMS. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN A. ARBUCKLE. 

Aug. 8, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
BENJAMIN F. ASKREN. 

Aug. 7, 1862; discharged Dec. 12, 1864, on account of 

wounds received at Resaca. 
JAMES W. BLUE. 

July 25, 1862 ; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., March 8, 1864. 
RICHARD CARNES. 

July 16, 1862; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 21, 1862. 
GEORGE W. CARTER. 

July 21, 1862; died at Indianapolis July 16, 1864, from 

wound received at Resaca. 
SAMUEL R. CARTER. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; discharged Nov. 20, 1862. 
JOSEPH B. CARTER. 

Aug. II, 1862; died at Gallatin, Tenn., April 5, 1863. 
JAMES H. CLARK. 

Aug. 7, 1862; killed at Kenesaw June 22, 1864; Sergeant. 
JOHN W. CLAYPOOL. 

Aug. 8, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Sergeant. 
NOAH CONSTABLE. 

July 22, 1862 ; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 9, 1862. 
ELISHA CRAWFORD. 

Julv 24, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
NICHOLAS CROSSLY. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM CROSSLEY. 

July 26, 1862; discharged Jan. 20, 1863. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 3^7 

JOHN CUNNINGHAM. 

July 25, 1862; transferred to Engineer Corps Aug. 13, 

1864. 
WILLIAM A. DILLEY. 

July 26, 1862 ; died at Saundersville, Tenn., Feb. 20, 1863. 
THOMAS N. DONLY. 

July 26, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
MARTIN ENGLEHART. 

July 19, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
EDWARD M. FITZGIBBON. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JONATHAN GORDON. t 1 q qa 

Aug. 4, 1862; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., July 28, 1864, 

from wounds. 
RICHARD GRAVES. 

July 15, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
LUNSFORD GRIFFITH. 

Aug. II, 1862; transferred to Engineer Corps Aug. 29, 

1864. 
JAMES GREEN. 

Aug. 17, 1862; discharged March 11, 1863. 
MARTIN V. GRIFFITH. 

Aug. 5, 1862 ; died May 24, 1864; wounds. 
JAMES GROVES. 

Aug. 7, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM GULLEY. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 22, 1863. 
JOSEPH HAYDEN. 

July 21, 1862 ; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 10, 1862. 

WILLIAM C. HIND. 

July 26, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 22, 1863. 
ARTHUR HO AGLAND. c .. tt T862 

July 17, 1862; died at Bowling Green, Ky.. Sept il, i»02. 
WILLIAM E. HOWLAND. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
LEWISA.JELF. 

Aug. 9, 1862; discharged Oct. 18, 1863- 



368 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

HENRY C. JONES. 

Aug. 7, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN L. KETCHAM. 

July 15, 1862; promoted Sergeant-Ma j or 1864; First Lieu- 
tenant 1865 ; mustered out with regiment. 
CURTIS KING. 

July 29, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JOHN KIRKLAND. 

Aug. 6, 1862 ; died at Saundersville, Tenn., Feb. 20, 1863. 
LEVI KLEPFER. 

July 30, 1862 ; died May 16, 1864; wounds. 
GEORGE KOCHER. 

July 30, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
ROBERT LANGSDALE. 

July 24, 1862 ; discharged March 4, 1863. 
MICHAEL M. LAWSON. 

July 30, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
OLIVER P. LOCKHART. 

July 19, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN G. LOCKRIDGE. 

Aug. 4, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 22, 1863. 

DANIEL P. Mclaughlin. 

July 28, 1862; died at Saundersville, Tenn., Dec. 21, 1862. 
JOHN MALONEY. 

July 25, 1862; discharged March 9, 1863. 
THOMAS D. MANLEY. 

Aug. 9, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY MAYHEW. 

July 26, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
THOMAS MILLER. 

Aug. 6, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JACOB MONROE. 

July 29, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
RICHARD T. NASH. 

July 29, 1862; died at Bridgeport, Ala., March 13, 1864. 
JAMES W. PIERCE. 

Aug. 2, 1862; deserted Nov. i, 1863. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 369 

CHARLES POTTS. 

July 25, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
AUGUSTINE S. POWERS. 

July 26, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HENRY PRITCHETT. 

July 29, 1862; deserted Nov. i, 1863. 
ALFRED E. PURCELL. 

Aug. 9, 1862; killed at Resaca May 15, 1864. 
GEORGE REDMOND. 

July 30, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES F. ROGERS. 

July 30, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
HARVEY B. ROGERS. 

July 30, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JOHN RODGERS. 

Aug. II, 1862; discharged June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
JOHN C. RUSSELL. 

Aug. 9, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
ABRAHAM SEAY. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN A. SEAY. 

July 21, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN SEEKAMP. 

July 30, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
BENJAMIN F. SOUTH. 

Aug. 10, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES C. SPAULDING. 

July 19, 1862 ; killed at Peach Tree Creek July 20, 1864. 
MARION SPRINGER. 

Aug. 5, 1862; died at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. 3, 1862. 
JOHN S. STEPHENS. 

Aug. 9, 1862 ; died at Saundersville, Tenn., Feb. 23, 1863. 
JOHN STOOP. 

Aug. 7, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN T. TALBOT. 

July 19, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
WILLIAM F. TAYLOR. 

Aug. 8, 1862 ; died at Saundersville, Tenn,, Jan. 8, 1863. 



370 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

SIMEON TEMPLIN. 

Aug. 9, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JAMES VAN SICKLE. 

July 19, 1862 ; died at Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 13, 1863. 
DAVID WATSON. 

July 31, 1862; died May 17, 1864; wounds received at 

Resaca. 
JASPER WATSON. 

July 30, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
MARTIN V. WATSON. 

July 26, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865, as Corporal. 
BENJAMIN F. WATTS. 

July 26, 1862 ; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
GEORGE M. WILSON. 

July 19, 1862; killed at Resaca May 15, 1864. 
STEPHEN WOODRUFF. 

July 19, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 28, 1865 ; wounds. 

RECRUITS AND VETERANS. 

WASHINGTON AKESTOR. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ANDREW J. ARNOLD. 

July 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
HENRY C. AUSTIN. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN W. BISHOP. 

April 4, 1863 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES M. BONNER. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN B. BOYD. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES S. BOYD. 

Jan. 8, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
ROBERT R. BRATTAN. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
DAVID BROWN. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 



REGIMENTAL ROSTER 371 

JEFIREY J. COX. 

March 26, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
DANIEL CLAYTON. 

July 28, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JESSE N. DICKERSON. 

Sept. 6, 1862; died at Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 10, 1862. 
JOSEPH A. DAVIS. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES H. DOUGHERTY. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES EDWARDS. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
DAVID EVERHART. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
WILLIAM P. ELLIS. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
MARTIN V. GILLEY. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN JACKSON. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOSEPH R. JONES. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN B. JONES. 

March 4, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
MARION JONES. 

Feb. 12, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN LATTIMORE. 

Jan. 24, 1864; discharged Jan. 24, 1864, by order War 

Department. 
ROBERT R. MARSHALL. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JERRETT W. MARTIN. 

Feb. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
SHELBY MARTIN. 

Sept. 12, 1861 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
MARION McADAMS. 

Feb. 12,1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 



372 THE SEVENTIETH INDIANA 

JAMES MAXWELL. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
DANIEL MONAHAN. 

March 3, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
PHILIP OSMON. 

March 3, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN F. PALMER. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
NELSON PURCELL. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JAMES L. B. SHEPHERD. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
NOAH P. STUKEY. 

March 26, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865.' 
WILLIAM STIPES. 

July 28, 1862; mustered out June 8, 1865. 
JOHN A. THOMAS. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JORDAN WELCH. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
JOHN G. WALLACE. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
SAMUEL S. WEAVER. 

Jan. 24, 1864; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 
CHARLES C. WEAVER. 

Jan. 24, 1864 ; transferred to 33d Regiment June 8, 1865. 



AUb iol900 



